By Godgift Harris
Authorities at the Liberia National Police (LNP), have formally charged a 54-year-old Mohammed D. Sheriff with paramilitary activities.
LNP accused Sheriff of “organizing and operating an unregistered community-based security outfit” in violation of Liberia’s Penal Law.
The charge, filed at LNP Headquarters in Monrovia, stemmed from a troubling development involving the emergence of a quasi-security structure operating outside the framework of national law. The case has sparked widespread public debate about national security, ethnic cohesion, and the limits of community-based self-protection initiatives.
Allegations under chapter 11 of Penal Law
According to the police charge sheet, Sheriff, a resident of Logan Town, and a native of Bong County, has been charged under Chapter 11, Section 11.5 of the Penal Law of Liberia, which criminalizes paramilitary activities and the formation of unauthorized armed groups.
The law prohibits individuals or organizations from forming, organizing, or participating in military-style groups without expressed authorization from the government.
Legal experts say the provision is designed to prevent the proliferation of private militias or armed groups that could undermine state authority or threaten public order.
Police alleged that Sheriff served as the head of an entity identified as the “National Fula Community Security Services” (NFCSS), which investigators say, operated without official government registration or oversight. The investigation was reportedly triggered by a February 13, 2026, gathering at the Fish Market Mosque in Sinkor, Monrovia.
At the event, Sheriff and dozens of individuals were allegedly observed wearing mixed-color, military-style uniforms bearing the insignia of the NFCSS.
Photos and videos of the gathering circulated widely on social media platforms, quickly igniting speculation and national security concerns. In the footage, individuals appeared organized in formation, dressed in coordinated security attire, prompting many citizens to question the legality and purpose of the group. Security analysts say the optics of uniformed individuals operating under a distinct banner, particularly in a country still recovering from the scars of civil conflict, can generate fear and mistrust among the population. However, law enforcement officials contend that regardless of intent, the formation of a structured, uniformed security body without registration and state authorization constitutes a “violation.”
Meanwhile, authorities re yet to confirm whether additional members of the alleged security group will face charges.
Investigations continue.
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