MONROVIA – The long-awaited dream of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has become a reality under the leadership of Colonel Elijah F. Rufus, with the establishment of the LIS Band Unit.
The initiative has been widely described by security practitioners as a dream fulfilled and a significant milestone in the history of the Service.
On October 23, members of the newly established LIS Band Unit graduated from training at the Barclay Training Center after completing instruction in band formalities, discipline and other essential areas relevant to the security sector.
Serving as guest speaker at the graduation ceremony was Cllr. Chris Massaquoi, former Commissioner General of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN), now known as the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS).
In his remarks, Cllr. Massaquoi described the establishment of the Band Unit as a vision fulfilled for the country’s immigration authorities.
He noted that previous administrations had envisioned the establishment of a band unit within the Service. He, therefore, expressed profound appreciation to the current administration for making that vision a reality and achieving this important milestone.
Cllr. Massaquoi highlighted several benefits of the newly established Band Unit, including strengthening institutional identity, pride and morale; promoting discipline and command; enhancing cooperation among security institutions; and fostering community engagement and public trust. He also addressed a broad range of challenges confronting the operations of the LIS and the security sector as a whole.
He concluded by commending the current administration for its efforts and congratulating the leadership of the Service on a job well done.
For his part, the Deputy Commissioner General for Administration, Nelsco Aleo Wolo, applauded the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) for providing training and professional support to the LIS.
Deputy Commissioner General Wolo disclosed that the training and procurement of equipment for the Band Unit were funded through the LIS fiscal budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
He further revealed that the Service has provided office stationery and uniforms to LIS offices across Liberia as part of its efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and improve operational efficiency.
According to him, preparations are also underway for the distribution of vehicles to county commanders and sectional heads, a move expected to enhance the Service’s operational capabilities across the country.
Outstanding Officers Honored
As part of the graduation ceremony, four officers of the LIS Band Unit received awards in recognition of their performance and accomplishments during training.
The award recipients were:
– Officer Pate Evelyn M. — Distinguished Honor Award
– Officer Quito Abraham S. — Honor Graduate Award
– Officer Nimely Terrance S. — Leadership Award
– Officer Badio Alex S. — Superior Physical Fitness Award
The ceremony was attended by officials of the Armed Forces of Liberia, former and current LIS administrators, senior and junior officers of the Service, and other well-wishers who gathered to celebrate this significant achievement.
The graduation marks an important step in the Liberia Immigration Service’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional identity, promote discipline, and enhance its contribution to national security and community engagement.
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