President Joseph Boakai Wednesday issued a stern warning to Liberia’s security services to exercise discipline and restraint, saying officers must not exploit their powers or resort to intimidation as they carry out law enforcement duties.
Speaking at a Cabinet retreat in Tubmanburg, the president singled out the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), declaring that “the badge is not a hunting license.”
Boakai said the government remains committed to combating the country’s drug problem but stressed that “results, not abuses of authority, must define the fight against drugs.”
The president voiced concern about reported instances of excessive force and misuse of authority within parts of the security sector and urged commanders to take immediate steps to correct those practices.
He told ministers and agency heads that enforcement operations must be professional, legal and proportionate to preserve public trust and the rule of law.
Boakai balanced his admonition with praise for several ministries and agencies he said have advanced his administration’s development agenda under the ARREST framework.
The president also used the retreat to unveil a series of development initiatives. He said partners are prepared to start assessments for a National Sports Academy in Bong County to nurture young athletes and announced plans to relocate the National Fire and Rescue Service headquarters to a larger site being secured by land authorities.
Boakai outlined an upgrade to Monrovia’s Omega Market that will add educational and healthcare services for traders and the surrounding community and urged the Ministry of Public Works to split major road contracts among multiple firms to accelerate completion amid Liberia’s rainy season.
The Bomi retreat brought together the vice president, Cabinet ministers and heads of major agencies as the Boakai administration sought to strengthen coordination, review performance and realign national priorities.
Government officials said the president expects prompt action to curb abuses while continuing to pursue infrastructure and social development projects.
