GBARNGA – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has commenced a three-day capacity-building seminar for senior officers, running from September 30 to October 2 at the Gbarnga Regional Justice and Security Hub in Bong County.

The seminar brings together senior officers, including directors, sectional heads, regional commanders and county commanders, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership, accountability and professional standards within the Service.

The training is being held under the theme:, “Leading with Integrity: Strengthening Accountability, Professionalism, and the Fight Against Corruption.”

The seminar is expected to provide participants with an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, promote accountability, strengthen professionalism and reinforce the Service’s commitment to combating corruption.

The initiative forms part of the Liberia Immigration Service’s continuing efforts to build a more accountable, professional and effective institution in the discharge of its immigration and national security responsibilities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, September 30 at the Gbarnga Regional Justice and Security Hub, LIS Deputy Commissioner General for Administration, Nelsco Aleo Wolo, welcomed the senior officers to the training.

Deputy Commissioner General Wolo said the training is intended to strengthen the capacity of senior officers and deepen their understanding of the importance of effective leadership in contemporary security management.

According to him, the training reflects the LIS’s commitment to maintaining high standards in the discharge of its responsibilities.

He emphasized that leading by example is essential to effective service delivery, urging senior officers to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and accountability in the performance of their duties.

Deputy Commissioner General Wolo also addressed a wide range of challenges confronting the Liberia Immigration Service and encouraged the participants to use the training as an opportunity to reflect on their responsibilities and identify practical ways to improve institutional performance.

For his part, the LIS Deputy Commissioner General for Operations, Kundukai Jaleiba, urged participants to take the capacity-building exercise seriously and make full use of the knowledge and skills gained during the seminar.

Meanwhile, the three-day seminar is expected to conclude on Friday, October 2.

Ganta, Nimba County – April 16, 2026 – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has successfully concluded a weeklong strategic retreat held at the PYJ Polytechnic University in Ganta City, Nimba County, bringing together senior officials to review and strengthen key administrative and human resource policies.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, LIS Commissioner General, Colonel Elijah Rufus, described the retreat as both timely and essential to the institution’s continued progress.

He noted that the gathering provided a strategic platform to critically examine existing policies, assess operational realities and collectively chart a more responsive and forward-looking path for the Service.

According to Commissioner General Rufus, discussions during the retreat highlighted that while LIS has made notable progress, there remains a

pressing need to modernize institutional systems, strengthen internal governance and improve service delivery.

“I am particularly encouraged by the strong emphasis placed on staff welfare,” he said.

“The decisions taken to enhance benefits, expand support mechanisms, and promote the well-being of LIS officers reflect a clear understanding that our greatest asset is our personnel.”

He further emphasized the importance of standardizing operations across the institution, including procurement processes and uniform management, stressing that discipline, order, and consistency must define LIS as a professional body.

The Commissioner General also underscored the need for greater inclusion of county commands in planning and decision-making processes, noting that the effectiveness of LIS as a national institution depends on how well it empowers and integrates its structures at all levels.

Additionally, he called for the alignment of LIS policies with the LIS Act, emphasizing that such efforts will require structured engagement with the Ministry of Justice and other relevant Government of Liberia (GOL) authorities.

Colonel Rufus expressed appreciation to his deputies, directors, sectional heads, and all participants for their dedication throughout the retreat.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Africanus S. Dolo, Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Mayor of Gompa City, emphasized the importance of strengthening security to support economic growth, particularly at key entry points in Nimba County.

He reaffirmed the city’s openness to partnerships with security institutions.

Cllr. John D. Miah, Attorney of Nimba County at the Ministry of Justice, also delivered remarks during the closing program.

Providing an overview of the retreat, LIS Deputy Commissioner General for Administration, Nelsco Aleo Wolo, thanked senior officers for their commitment and engagement. He noted that the retreat successfully reviewed, refined, and developed several key policy and governance instruments, including:

Personnel Welfare Policy

Procurement Regulations

Financial Policy

Fleet Management Policy

Administrative Instructions

Monitoring and Evaluation Policy

Operational Structures for Leeward Counties

Monrovia – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has officially launched its Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2029), signaling a major step forward in modernizing the country’s immigration system and enhancing national security.

The new Strategic Plan outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving border security and surveillance, enhancing migration management, and promoting professionalism and efficiency across the Service.

Speaking during the launch ceremony, Commissioner General Elijah F. Rufus reaffirmed LIS’s commitment to addressing critical migration and security challenges facing the country, including the increasing number of undocumented migrants, human trafficking, and cross-border crimes.

“The LIS is not deterred, but determined to confront these challenges head-on and make a meaningful impact in fulfilling our mandates,” Commissioner General Rufus stated.

The Strategic Plan focuses on four priority areas; Institutional Capacity Building, Border Security and Surveillance, Migration Management, and ensuring compliance with immigration laws, Public Engagement and accountability through improved public relations and stakeholder collaboration.

Grounded in the principles of transparency, accountability, and service excellence, the plan emphasizes the use of modern technology, stronger inter-agency cooperation, and a people-centered approach to immigration management.

The launch event brought together senior LIS authorities, government officials, and international partners, all of whom expressed their commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan.

The Liberia Immigration Service believes that the next five years will usher in a new era of strengthened national security, improved migration governance, and enhanced public confidence in the institution.

VOINJAMA, Lofa County – In his long-awaited public statement, former Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service, Steve H. J. Zargo, has issued a scathing critique of President Joseph Boakai’s administration, accusing the ruling Unity Party — particularly its inner circle of loyalists — of political entitlement, exclusion, and betrayal of coalition allies who helped bring the party to power.

By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

Speaking on Let’s Talk So and Talk, the flagship program of Radio Wologisi in Lofa County, Zargo broke nine months of silence, leveling pointed accusations at the so-called Unity Party “boys” whom, he claims, have monopolized state power and systematically sidelined members of collaborating political parties, including his own Liberty Party.

He argued that when there are issues involving a Unity Party person in government, they are resolved quickly, but when it concerns someone from a different political party, it takes longer to be addressed.

Zargo’s appearance followed weeks of speculation about his political future and the reasons behind his extended silence after being suspended from his post at LIS nearly a year ago. 

While no official reason was ever provided for his suspension, Zargo made clear that he believes his removal was politically motivated, orchestrated by influential Unity Party insiders who viewed him as an outsider despite his years of loyalty to President Boakai. 

He reminded listeners that he supported President Boakai for 19 years, at a time when others now benefiting from the administration didn’t want to. He added that he even sacrificed more for Boakai’s presidential bid than his own re-election to the Senate in 2023 because he felt the people of Lofa deserved to produce a president.

As a former senator of Lofa County and chair of the Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, Zargo was a key player in the opposition coalition that propelled Boakai to victory in 2023. However, he now says that loyalty was repaid with betrayal. 

He recalled that he was suspended for three months without explanation and, after the suspension, was quietly replaced rather than formally dismissed. He said he feels “deeply hurt” by the process and believes justice was not done, especially considering the role he played in the 2023 election.

Zargo’s strongest condemnation was reserved for the internal dynamics of the Unity Party itself. He said those around the president misled him about his character and intentions, simply because he comes from a different political party.

He accused the ruling party’s inner circle of treating the government as a personal inheritance and downplaying the contributions of other political actors who helped secure the Unity Party’s return to power.

He did not hold back in identifying names either. Zargo accused Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin, a cousin to President Boakai, of being one of the architects of his removal. He alleged that Nyumalin, during the campaign period, openly threatened that he would suffer under a Unity Party government if the party won. Zargo claimed that Nyumalin’s influence over the president is so strong that whatever he tells the president becomes final, and that he played a major role in his ouster because of his proximity to the Executive Mansion.

Attempts by FrontPageAfrica to contact Minister Nyumalin proved futile up to press time.

Reflecting on the 2023 elections and the spirit of coalition-building that brought the opposition together, Zargo said the treatment he has received is not just personal — it reflects a deeper problem within the Unity Party’s approach to governance. 

He said the government that was envisioned together has now become a one-party affair, with Unity Party members using state power to reward their own while marginalizing others. He lamented that coalition partners are now seen as intruders and that the administration has failed to appreciate the sacrifices made by the Liberty Party.

Adding insult to injury, Zargo revealed that despite his loyalty and tireless support for the Unity Party, the party went as far as to field a candidate against him — Garlakpai Kortimi — during the 2023 senatorial election in Lofa County. He said this was a deliberate effort to weaken his political base and further alienate him from the Unity Party’s inner circle.

His radio appearance attracted thousands of listeners across Lofa County and beyond. Zargo described it as a moment of truth and reckoning, saying the honeymoon period with the Boakai administration is over. He said it is time for him to speak and move forward with clarity, knowing that he did his part to help bring about change, only to be excluded afterward.

BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has concluded a one-week policy review and strengthening retreat aimed at improving its internal operations and aligning with national governance standards.

The retreat, which ended on Friday, June 14, 2025, brought together the Commissioner General of LIS, Elijah Rufus, along with deputy commissioners, directors, sectional heads, and senior officers. It was held in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.

The primary focus of the retreat was to review and strengthen key operational areas of the LIS, including financial management, procurement, fleet operations, human resources, welfare, and logistics. Participants also developed a five-year strategic plan to guide the institution’s activities and performance going forward.

According to LIS officials, the retreat aligns with the Government of Liberia’s Performance Management and Compliance System (PMCS), a national framework aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered service delivery in public institutions.

Speaking at the close of the retreat, Commissioner General Elijah Rufus reaffirmed his commitment to aligning LIS operations with the government’s performance standards. He emphasized that accountability and transparency will remain central to his administration.

“We’ve identified critical areas that need support and improvement. This retreat has helped us to focus on practical steps toward strengthening the Liberia Immigration Service,” Rufus said.

He also thanked all participants and contributors for their role in shaping the direction of the institution.

The closing ceremony was attended by several stakeholders, including the former Deputy Commissioner General for Administration (U-301) of LIS, who served during the George Weah administration.

Officials say the outcomes of the retreat will serve as a roadmap for addressing institutional challenges and ensuring improved immigration services across Liberia.

BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), under the leadership of Acting Commissioner-General Hon. Elijah F. Rufus, has commenced a one-week in-house retreat aimed at strengthening the institution’s operations and strategic planning. 

The retreat, which began on June 7, is being held at the LIS Administrative Building in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, and is scheduled to conclude on June 14.

This initiative marks a significant step in the new administration’s commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of the LIS. The retreat brings together key personnel, including the Commissioner-General, deputy commissioners, directors, sectional heads, and senior officers, to engage in intensive working sessions focused on reviewing and refining the institution’s policies and five-year work plan.

The primary objective of the retreat is to address both challenges and achievements within the LIS, ensuring that the agency remains responsive to its mandate of safeguarding Liberia’s territorial boundaries. Discussions are centered around critical areas such as finance, procurement, fleet management, welfare, logistics, and human resources, among others.

According to information from the LIS administration, this retreat is the first of its kind in several years, reflecting the new leadership’s dedication to institutional evaluation and improvement. 

The comprehensive review aims to align the LIS’s operations with best practices and legal requirements, thereby enhancing its capacity to effectively execute its responsibilities.

The retreat’s location in Buchanan, the capital of Grand Bassa County, underscores the LIS’s commitment to decentralizing its activities and fostering a closer connection with regional operations. By conducting this retreat outside the capital, the LIS aims to promote inclusivity and ensure that all officers, regardless of their station, are engaged in the strategic planning process.

As the retreat progresses, the LIS anticipates developing a refined strategic framework that will guide the institution’s operations over the next five years. This initiative is expected to bolster the LIS’s capacity to manage immigration processes, enforce border security, and contribute to national development through enhanced operational effectiveness.

Monrovia – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has taken disciplinary measures against several officers involved in a shooting incident and failure to report crucial information. 

By Selma Lomax selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

Two officers have been dismissed, five suspended without pay, and others warned for their involvement in illegal firearm possession, the discharge of a weapon that resulted in a civilian injury, and neglect of duty.

In a statement, Commissioner General Designate, Hon. Elijah F. Rufus, explained that the actions reflect the LIS’s commitment to upholding integrity and professionalism within the service.

The disciplinary actions stem from an investigation into a shooting that occurred on December 13, 2024, at a mining camp in Grand Kru County. The incident, which resulted in the injury of Mr. Sailoh Assafu, a Ghanaian national, prompted the LIS to take immediate action.

Following the investigation, officers Alex Kwia and George T. Woyah, both from the Marine Unit of the Maryland County Detachment, were dismissed for illegal possession and discharge of a firearm. They are to be handed over to the Liberia National Police (LNP) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Several other officers, including Boima T. Passawe, J. Clarence T. Gibson, Jr., Daniel B. Nagbe, and Maliki M. Sheriff, have been suspended for two months without pay for concealing critical information about the incident and failing to report it to higher authorities. Officer Zarwolo Dolo was also suspended for one month without pay for going on a mission with an uncertified firearm carrier.

Additionally, officers Abdul Jallahquay, William Toe, and Augustine Y. Gbolego received warning letters for not ensuring the timely communication of the incident to the LIS Administration.

The LIS has stressed its zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct, underscoring the importance of adherence to the code of conduct. Commissioner Rufus reiterated the organization’s commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism, ensuring officers operate within the law.

As part of the disciplinary measures, the dismissed and suspended officers are required to return all government property in their possession and cease identifying themselves as immigration officers.

Monrovia — Attorney Dixon N. Tamba, Deputy Commissioner General for Naturalization of the Liberia Immigration Service, has denied reports that Contec Global Liberia Limited, an Indian company contracted to print resident permits, is yet to issue any resident permits, despite reportedly charging applicants $350 each. 

By Selma Lomax. Selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

FrontPageAfrica has been reliably informed that it has been three months since the company stop printing permits and other documents, and no permits have been printed. Instead, the company appears to be accepting only application forms from applicants while charging $350.

Attorney Tamba, speaking to FrontPageAfrica Tuesday, however, rejected the allegations, saying more than 3,000 cards have been printed. 

On allegations of how an Indian company was awarded the contract over Liberian companies during the bidding process, Attorney Tamba said: “I cannot speak about the awarding of contract. The contract was awarded by our predecessor. The agreement was already dotted before we took over. And government is continuity. As an over sight Commissioner, I stop at the printing area almost every day. If someone told you no card has been printed, that’s not true. Printers are electronic devices. So, for a printer to develop problem, it does not mean that the process has been stalled.” 

“All of the international organizations, including the United Nations, we grant them gratis resident permits. Then how can the machines be spoiled?” he asked.

Attorney Tamba, however, admitted that the at times machines responsible to print out the resident permit develop problem, but that does not mean the process has stopped.

He added that all applications that are made for resident permits are thoroughly screened by Immigration authority before being printed. “This is an online process that requires stages. It’s not about the money. Immigration authority can screen all of the information before granting printing approval to the company,” he said.

Contec Global was awarded a contract by the Government of Liberia in 2021 to digitize the Liberia Alien Resident Permit. Countries in the region are already operating digitized-based systems for immigration formalities.

The government at that time said Contec Global was contracted by the government of Liberia following a competitive tender process for both Alien Resident Permit and work services by the Public Procurement and Concession Committee (PPCC) to operate digitized Resident Permits for the Liberian Alien community.

In March this year, the company turned over brand new vehicles to the authorities of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) to enhance its current digitized Alien Resident Permit project across the country.

MONROVIA – Liberia is on the brink of a groundbreaking transformation in its immigration procedures with the introduction of biometric resident permits for foreign nationals. This strategic initiative aims to alleviate the challenges faced by foreigners in acquiring their essential legal documents while reinforcing security measures. The official announcement was made by Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, the Minister of Justice, during a ceremony held at the Liberian Immigration Service (LIS) headquarters on October 9.

By Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Minister Dean underscored that the implementation of this visionary project will substantially reduce the waiting times experienced by businesspeople, foreign residents, and partners when obtaining their requisite documentation. The introduction of biometric permits will not only streamline the regulation of people’s movements but will also place a premium on security.

With a spotlight on the comprehensive security reforms undertaken since the conclusion of Liberia’s protracted civil conflict, Minister Dean emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards within its security agencies. This commitment extends to respecting human rights and adhering to the rule of law. The introduction of biometric resident permits stands as a testament to these ongoing endeavors.

Minister Dean conveyed his pride in this achievement and assured the Liberian Immigration Service of the continued support from the Ministry of Justice while urging them to continually pursue improvements.

Furthermore, Commissioner General Robert W. Budy of the LIS emphasized the revenue-generating potential of these innovative biometric permits. He estimated that the LIS’s annual revenue would increase from $5 million to $7 million with the implementation of this state-of-the-art system.

Commissioner General Budy disclosed that this milestone was made possible through a collaborative partnership with Contec Global Limited, a leading technology company. Over the years, the LIS has been dedicated to modernizing its services for the foreign community, transitioning from traditional manual booklets and forms to a digitized framework.

In a significant development, the LIS has embarked on digitizing the airport visa on arrival and re-entry permits. Commissioner General Budy stressed that, before this initiative, biometric technology had not been integrated into the LIS’s service provision for foreign nationals.

The decision to introduce biometric resident permits was informed by a joint research effort conducted by the LIS and the Ministry of Labor. This research revealed the imperative need for digital technology enhancements within Liberia’s migration system. Previously, all facets of migration administration, including residence permits, work permits, and visa on arrival, were handled manually. The introduction of biometric permits signifies a pivotal stride in addressing this technological deficit.

Monrovia – Robert W. Budy, Commission General of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), says no matter how long talk-show host Henry Costa stays away from Liberia, there is a case before the Liberia National Police about his possession of “fake laissez-passer”.

Costa, the Head of the Council of Patriots (COP), in early January was accused by the government of Liberia of forging travel documents, days after he staged an anti-governmnet protest in Monrovia.

He was later scheduled to travel on January 10 but was prevented by LIS officers on grounds that he had forged travel documents while returning to the country.

Costa turned himself in to the LIS for investigation, but he would later leave the country crossing the border to neighboring Sierra Leone during night hours.

It has been more than six months since the hard-talking radio show host left the country and news of his return has repeatedly emerged.

But speaking on a local radio talk-show, the OK Morning Hush, LIS Commissioner General Budy said investigation surrounding Costa’s forgery case has not yet been laid to rest.

“Henry Costa is still charged because he fled the country and we did not conclude the investigation and all of the files were turned over to the Liberia National Police,” the LIS Commissioner General said, adding that the gravity of the case is so huge that it involves lots of individuals.

“Many individuals participated in the procurement of the fake laissez-passer that was obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The case is still pending before the Liberia National Police and so Henry Costa should realize that he still has a charge hanging over him.”

According to sources, Costa, who also heads the Council of Patriots – a group frequently opposing the policies of the government, will return to Liberia in December this year during Special Senatorial Elections to campaign for candidates who will be on the ticket of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP).