By Godgift Harris
The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has announced a renewed crackdown on bribery and extortion at highway checkpoints.
LIS Commissioner, Elijah F. Rufus, issued a “final warning” to immigration officers assigned in Bong and Nimba counties, specifically those at stationed at the various checkpoints.
Rufus made the statement during an official visit to the two counties, where he met with immigration personnel, and local authorities amid growing complaints of extortion along major highways.
Rufus declared that corruption within the ranks of the LIS would no longer be tolerated.
In a closed-door engagement with senior immigration officers, Rufus warned that any officer caught demanding or receiving bribes from travelers would face investigation, and prosecution in line with the law.
He said, LIS credibility and effectiveness depend on discipline, integrity, and strict adherence to professional standards.
The warning follows persistent allegations from travelers and commercial drivers, who accused some immigration officers of turning checkpoints into extortion points, demanding money under the guise of routine inspections.
These complaints, which have circulated widely among transport operators and the general public, have continued despite repeated assurances from authorities that corruption is being addressed.
Rufus said, restoring public trust remains a top priority for the LIS.
He said officers are expected to respect the rights of citizens, and foreign travelers, and to carry out their duties without intimidation or abuse of power.
As part of the anti-corruption drive, the LIS has urged members of the public to report misconduct by immigration personnel directly to its headquarters in Monrovia.
Many Liberians remain skeptical, arguing that such pronouncements have become routine, and rarely reflect the daily reality within the LIS.
Critics point to ongoing allegations that some LIS officers are involved in the irregular processing of work permits and other immigration documents for foreign nationals, often outside established procedures.
Liberians also argue that genuine reform cannot focus solely on junior officers at checkpoints.
“If corruption is to be stopped, it must begin with senior officials,” one transport union member recommended.
“Targeting only the ‘small men’ while ignoring those at the top will not change anything.”
As complaints continue and public confidence remains fragile, the latest warning from the LIS Commissioner now faces a familiar test: whether it will result in concrete action and accountability, or fade into yet another unfulfilled promise in Liberia’s long-running fight against corruption.