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ADNews-Todee, Montserrado: Nyehn Town Police Station in Todee District, Lower Montserrado County, has increasingly become a symbol of neglect and institutional decay, raising serious concerns about public safety and the government’s commitment to law enforcement in rural Liberia.
By Benjamin Quaye Johnson
Residents say the station’s deplorable condition is weakening the fight against crime and leaving communities vulnerable.
“This police station is falling apart, and so is security in this district,” one resident told Afric-Daily Newspaper. “How can officers protect us when they don’t even have a safe place to work?”
As the only police station serving the entire Todee District, the Nyehn Town facility plays a critical role in maintaining law and order.
However, its deteriorating condition has triggered widespread complaints from citizens who believe officers are being asked to operate under unsafe and unrealistic circumstances.
According to residents, the situation has not improved since the installation of the current government. “Since this government came in, nothing has changed here,” another community member said. “No renovation, no motorbikes, no support. It shows that rural people are not a priority.”
One of the most alarming concerns is the station’s leaking roof, a problem residents say has existed for more than 15 years.
Built during the era of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the structure has reportedly never undergone major rehabilitation. “When it rains, officers have to move files and chairs to avoid water,” a local resident explained. “It’s embarrassing and dangerous.”
The lack of mobility has further compounded the problem. With no functional motorbikes or patrol vehicles, officers are unable to conduct routine patrols, particularly at night when most crimes are reported. “Criminals know the police cannot move fast,” an old woman only identified as Ma Bendu said. “That’s why crime keeps increasing.” As a result, police response times are slow and, in some cases, nonexistent.
She told our Reporter that suspects often escape before officers arrive. “By the time police hear about the crime, the people are already gone,” she lamented. “This has destroyed our confidence in the system.”
The situation in Nyehn Town reflects broader challenges confronting the rural Detachment of the Liberia National Police (LNP) nationwide.
Across the country, the force struggles with outdated uniforms, insufficient vehicles, and weak communication systems.
These problems are further worsened by inadequate training opportunities and limited access to basic office equipment such as computers and printers. “How can investigations move forward when there are no basic tools?” a community elder questioned?”
The consequences for public safety are severe. Investigations are delayed, emergency responses are poorly coordinated, and trust between the police and the community continues to erode.
Officers at the station are also exposed to unhealthy working conditions.
The leaking roof forces them to operate in wet environments that threaten their health and safety. Additionally, the lack of proper uniforms has damaged morale and weakened their professional image. “Sometimes you can’t even tell who is a police officer,” a resident said.
Frustration has pushed some our community members to resort to vigilante actions when crimes occur. “People are taking the law into their own hands because they feel abandoned,” a resident said. “But that is dangerous and can cost innocent lives.”
Residents added that the situation in the Todee District mirrors the broader neglect rural security are facing across Liberia’s with security institutions after years of underfunding and limited reform.
Despite these challenges, officers assigned to the Nyehn Town Police Station continue to show commitment to their duties.
“They are trying their best,” a resident acknowledged. “But commitment alone is not enough without support.”
Residents are now urgently calling on the government, through the leadership of the Liberia National Police, to intervene by rehabilitating the station and providing essential logistics.
They are also appealing to international partners and donor agencies to support reforms, training, and logistical assistance for rural security officers especially LNP officers.
“The people of Nyehn Town deserve better,” a community leader said. “We deserve a police station that can truly protect lives and property.”
Without immediate action, residents warn that the situation could escalate into a broader security crisis, with consequences that may extend far beyond Todee District.
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