Tuesday, June 18, 2013 05:52 
Defense Gives Update On Ivorian Issue...Says 6 Arrested For Crossing Into Liberia
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The Minister of National Defense, Mr. Brownie Samukai has been providing some explanations relative to the incident currently taking place in the Ivory Coast. Minister Samukai said the recent attacks were carried out from inside Ivory Coast by Ivorian dissidents who attacked the Peacan Military Barrack in that country. However, he revealed that Ivorian Government had retaken the barrack from the dissidents.
He said at no time did any person cross the border from Liberia into Ivory Coast as the incident was purely Ivorian.
Minister Samukai said since the June 8, 2012 incident, Liberia continues to cooperate with Ivory Coast by closing its border and dispelled rumors that the attack was carried out by Liberians. “I want to plead with you journalists not to draw your country into this conflict as it is truly Ivorian,” he stated.
Minister Samukai said from Toe's Town to the Liberian Ivorian border is 29 kilometers and vowed that no inch of Liberia's territory will be used to destabilize the Ivory Coast. He urged journalists not to do their stories in a manner that the conflict is coming from Liberia or has the input of Liberians.
The Defense Minister said the recent attackers came from Youpogun deep from Ivory Coast into their own barrack, the Peacan Military post.
The minister said during the August 13 incident in the Ivory Coast, some Ivorian security personnel and a civilian crossed into Liberia for safety and are being provided security by Liberia's joint security assigned at the border.
He named those that came for safety as Sgt. Sedeby Gwonkolo, Cpl. Soro Karina Moussa, Cpl. Silue Wolokafolo, Cpl. Detiot Anicet, Cpl. Bwante Amara, Jimmy Carter and M. Mussa.
Minister Samukai also disclosed that on August 14, 2012 some Ivorian dissidents were interdicted and arrested by the Joint Task Force of Liberia assigned at the border between 20:30 to 06 30 a.m.
He named them as Komande Mohegnan Valery from Douandrou Blolequin who is a trainer and juju man. Minister Samukai said they also arrested one George Paul, leader of the insurgent who carried out the Pekan Military Barrack attack, Nioule Ourogbo Edourd, Nioule Junior, Toue Badison J. and
Nioule Frank O, all of whom are Ivorians.
Minister Samukai said after the incident at Pekan they attempted fleeing to Liberia but were arrested and detained.
He said if the attack came from Liberia, then those who ran for safety would not have come to Liberia.
Minister Samukai has assured Liberians that the Joint Task Forces assigned at the border comprising of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization(BIN) and other security personnel will remain vigilant.
