Four Burkinabe Killed in Violent Forest Attacks Near Kparblee

Kparblee Town, Nimba County: Fear has taken over parts of Kparblee after a series of violent attacks in the forest left four Burkinabe migrants dead and several others injured.

According to a FrontPage Africa report, the Burkinabe, who came from Ivory Coast into Liberia to farm cocoa, have been working with local landowners for years. Many Liberians in Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties gave them land to plant cocoa, which helped make the area one of the top cocoa-producing regions in Liberia.

But in recent weeks, that peaceful relationship has been broken. Unknown men have attacked the Burkinabe farmers at night, burning their houses and belongings. Many victims were shot with single-barrel guns while they were sleeping.

During a visit to the affected areas, the reporter saw burnt homes, destroyed farmlands, and abandoned farms. Many Burkinabe families have now left the forests and are hiding in nearby towns like Zodru, Bah, and Doewoblee.

At Faith Medical Center in Kparblee Town, one Burkinabe man is being treated after being badly shot. The Officer-in-Charge, Physician Assistant James T. Flomo, said the violence is worrying and ongoing.

Local farmer Jefferson Bedell, also called “Kaka,” said he had given forest land to the Burkinabe to plant cocoa. “They’ve been working hard on my land, but now they are being attacked by unknown people,” he said sadly.

Another farmer, Jeff N. Gaylah, believes the attackers are not from Kparblee. “We’ve lived peacefully here with the Burkinabe,” he said.

Richard Y. Banto, Town Chief of Zodru, also expressed concern that the continued attacks could destroy peace and harm farming in the district.

Despite everything, the Burkinabe community continues to promote peace. They have built small churches in Kparblee and continue to live quietly.

Their youth chairman, Amed Sawadogo, said, “We are not here to cause problems. We just want to work, farm, and live peacefully with our Liberian brothers and sisters.”

For now, the forests around Kparblee remain tense as many wait for local authorities to act and bring safety back to the area.