By Rocheford T. Gardiner
MARYLAND COUNTY, LIBERIA – A growing conflict has erupted in Pleebo District between the Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) and local farmers. The tension stems from allegations by MOPP that private farm owners and residents have been stealing palm oil to produce consumable oil for the local market.
Pleebo Magisterial Court Solicitor Seorweh Jaycheneh confirmed that MOPP had requested a “Search and Seizure” warrant, valid from September 3 to 23, 2024. This warrant permits searches for and confiscation of palm oil within MOPP’s operational areas. In response, the Liberia National Police’s elite Emergency Response Unit (ERU) began conducting raids in various locations.
On Monday, September 9, 2024, the situation escalated when ERU extended their operations to Gbaykehn, a town in the Barikehn area. The residents resisted, resulting in scuffles between the ERU and locals. In a dramatic turn, residents released the “Country Devil” (a traditional masquerade) and set up roadblocks in protest.
Later that day, the ERU moved to the main Pleebo-Harper highway, specifically to Barikehn, where several homes were raided, and an unspecified amount of palm oil was confiscated. Court and MOPP officials reportedly accompanied the police during these operations.
According to local residents, ERU officers assaulted at least two individuals and arrested three others, including an elderly man known only as Blessing. Witnesses, such as Leo Johnson, claimed that Blessing was held in an open pickup truck for several hours while heavy rain poured down.
When contacted, Pleebo police officials, who requested anonymity, stated that the elderly man was briefly detained because he poked an ERU officer, causing the officer to fear that the gesture had spiritual implications. However, they later determined that the man was mentally challenged and released him. The police also denied firing shots into the air or assaulting anyone during the raids.
The incident disrupted the town’s weekly market day on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, as no palm oil was available for sale. Some vendors refrained from displaying other goods, fearing further raids by the police, who they believed were acting unpredictably.
Barikehn’s Chief, Edwin Wadeh, expressed helplessness in the face of the court-issued warrant, saying he could only inform the townspeople. His inaction has drawn criticism from residents who believe he failed to protect their interests.
The broader question in Maryland County is whether MOPP holds exclusive rights over all palm trees and oil production in its operational area, effectively preventing anyone else from producing or selling palm oil for local consumption. Some reports indicate that MOPP had an arrangement with smallholder farmers, promising to purchase all their palm harvests in exchange for the farmers not producing their own oil. However, it is alleged that the company has been in arrears for three months, causing financial strain on the farmers.
Efforts to obtain a comment from MOPP have been unsuccessful, as the company has consistently refused to speak with the press.
