By Ben TC Brooks
Grand Gedeh County – [May 15, 2025] The Liberia National Police’s crime services division in Grand Gedeh County is currently investigating four individuals believe to be Burkinabes for allegedly killing a chimpanzee in the Forest Management Contract (FMC I) area.
FMC I IS situated in Jaybo, Tchine Administrative district, where EURO Logging company is based.
Details of the case were disclosed by Edwin B. Kehou, a Wildlife Investigator from the Wildlife Crime Taskforce at the FDA, during a briefing at the Liberia National Police headquarters in Zwedru. Kehou reported that FDA rangers made the arrests on May 15, 2025, within the FMC I concession area.
The four men, identified as Zongo Bernard (32), Brahima Odrago (35), Kabore Isu (26), and Odrago Amedu (25) are expected to be charged when following preliminary investigation.
Under section C of the National Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas Management Law of 2016, the killing of any protected species, including chimpanzees, constitutes a serious offense, carrying penalties of fines between US$5,000 and US$10,000, or imprisonment for a duration of two to four years.
Additionally, 29 individuals believe to be Burkinabe nationals were arrested, along with two local residents for assisting the suspects and their involvement in deforestation, illegal hunting and agriculture activities.
With these recent arrests, the number of Burkinabe individuals detained in connection with FMC I has increased to 53, all of whom are awaiting trial.
In early April 2025, 22 Burkinabe individuals were detained on various charges, including forest destruction, illegal hunting, and economic sabotage.
They are currently being held at the National Palace of Corrections in Zwedru awaiting court trial, while the latest 31 individuals remain under police investigation.
