MONROVIA – Group of Liberians studying in the Indian City of Ludhiana, Punjab, say they are being attacked constantly by a Nigerian gang composed of former students who have overstayed and expelled by their universities.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
According to the students, this conflict reportedly began in 2020 on campus after a dispute between a Liberian student and a Nigerian, leading to ongoing attacks by the Nigerian group against Liberian students whenever they encounter each other.
According to the students, the recent attacks which happened on separate occasions in April led to the severe injuries of several Liberians and burning of their homes.
The students shared disturbing photos and videos with FrontPage Africa showing harrowing bodily injuries and burned dwelling places.
One of them, a female student, who asked not to be named, said owing to the constant vicious attacks against them, they are now living and learning with fear.
“We don’t know the genesis of this whole problem, but everyone is involved once you come from Liberia. They have attacked our friends, wounded them and burned their apartments. Women are not even allowed to walk in the street alone. They are even threatening us to come tonight from door to door and we are living here alone. Nobody here to come protect us when anything happened. Mr. President, please help us intervene. We are living and learning in fear,” she said.
She added: “Our lives are involved. I went out last night and trying to come home and those guys were chasing me. Your please try to help us because we are living here alone.”
One of the victims, Tommy V.D Johnson of the SBS College in Ludhiana, explaining his ordeal, said he came in direct contact with the gang members. According to him, the gangs invaded his home, and took away his electronic devices including computers, phone and camera.
“I came here about ten months ago. I don’t know about their conflict. But that night they entered the room and the four of them attacked me, put knives and other harmful items to my throat and demanded to hand over everything to them.
Johnson further told FPA that one of his colleagues, popularly known as “Twenty-one”, was stabbed multiple times by the gangs.
The students informed FrontPage Africa that they have reached out to both the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian police regarding these attacks. However, they claimed that there has been no effective response from either authority, with no arrests made and their safety remaining at risk. They are now living in fear and are appealing to the Liberian Government to intervene and ensure their security by urging the Indian authorities to take action.
However, when contacted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has launched an investigation and will come up with the appropriate response. In a communication addressed to the leadership of the Liberian Student Association in India, by Madam Charlyn Taylor, Assistant Minister for Afro- Asia Affairs assured the students that the government is working with its Indian counterpart to address the situation.
“The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is deeply concerned and saddened by the recent clashes between Nigerian and Liberian students in Ludhiana, Punjab State, India in which several Liberian students were wounded. In view of the aforementioned, kindly be informed that the Ministry is looking into the matter through the relevant authorities both in Liberia and India and will revert to you when concluded,” Madam Taylor noted.
Meanwhile, an ‘Emergency Response Committee’ has been set up by the Association of Liberian Students In India (ALSI). The committee comprises ALSI leadership and student leaders from various Punjab universities to investigate the violence.
The Committee, headed by Felix Saah Kpakima said it organized multiple stakeholder meetings and engaged directly with gang leaders to quell tensions. In addition, it has established communication channels with African student leadership in India, the Nigerian student union, and the Nigerian embassy for collaborative intervention. The Committee further recommend that ALSI should report the situation to the police for impartial investigation, advocating for deportation or legal action against individuals found guilty, in accordance with Indian law. It also called for internal investigation of Liberian students who may be involved with instigating the conflict.
It warned of potential recurrence due to unresolved issues within the Liberian community and external threats, and said there is an urgent need for continuous communication with “ground-level Liberian leadership and establishment of a Liberian embassy for enhanced support and oversight.”