Monrovia – The Ministry of Justice has ordered the immediate cessation of all activities linked to a group calling itself the “National Fula Security of Liberia (NFSL),” declaring the entity unauthorized and warning that its continued operation poses serious national security concerns.
By Willie N. Tokpah
In a statement issued Monday, February 16, the Ministry said it had taken note of “alarming reports, images, and public communications” circulating on social media regarding the purported establishment and recruitment activities of the group.
The Ministry made clear that no authorization, permit, registration, or operational approval has been granted by the Government of Liberia for the creation or operation of any entity under the name “National Fula Security of Liberia” or any similar formation.
“Under the laws of Liberia, the establishment, organization, recruitment, or operation of any security body, paramilitary structure, auxiliary force, or organized enforcement entity requires prior authorization from the Government through the Ministry of Justice’s Division of Public Safety,” the statement said.
“No such process has been initiated, undertaken, or completed in relation to this group.”
The Ministry further confirmed that the individuals or organizers associated with the entity have not obtained the requisite permits nor undergone any form of governmental vetting, institutional assessment, or security review as required by law.
Accordingly, authorities have ordered the immediate cessation and desistance of all recruitment, mobilization, promotional, and operational activities associated with the group.
The Ministry warned that any continuation of such activities would be considered a direct violation of Liberian law and would “attract the full weight of criminal and administrative sanctions.”
Ethnic-Based Security Structure Raises Alarm
Beyond the legal violations, the government expressed grave concern over the potential implications of security formations organized along ethnic or communal lines.
“The Government of Liberia will not recognize, legitimize, or tolerate the formation of unauthorized security structures, particularly those organized along ethnic, tribal, communal, or sectarian lines,” the statement emphasized, noting that national security and public order remain the constitutional responsibility of legally established state institutions.
The emergence of the National Fula Security of Liberia comes amid reports of alleged secret training exercises conducted by individuals claiming to provide private protection services to a segment of the population, despite the presence of state security agencies, including the Liberia National Police and other statutory bodies.
FrontPageAfrica has gathered from multiple security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, that the group may have been in existence for more than two years.
The sources alleged that members have frequently been seen operating around the 17th Street, Sinkor area of Monrovia.
One senior security source described the matter as a “longstanding national security concern,” claiming that the issue had been flagged internally as far back as two years ago but had not been publicly addressed until now.
Investigation Underway
The Ministry disclosed that it has instructed relevant security and regulatory agencies to immediately investigate the matter.
Where violations are established, enforcement actions will follow strictly in accordance with Liberian law.
The government also urged citizens and residents to refrain from engaging with or participating in any unauthorized security formations and to report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.
The development has heightened concerns among security analysts, who warn that the proliferation of unregulated private or community-based security outfits, particularly those perceived to represent specific ethnic interests, could undermine state authority and threaten fragile national cohesion.
Liberia’s post-war security architecture was designed to centralize the use of force within constitutionally established institutions.
Experts caution that the re-emergence of parallel structures, especially without oversight or legal backing, risks eroding public trust in state security institutions.
As investigations continue, the Ministry says it will “monitor developments closely” and take further action as necessary to uphold the rule of law and safeguard national peace and unity.
