Published: September 12, 2025
GBARNGA, Bong County— The Liberia National Police (LNP) Bong County detachment has imposed a sweeping ban on motorcycle travel during late-night hours, citing an alarming rise in burglary and other criminal activities in Gbarnga and surrounding communities.
The new restriction, which took effect Wednesday, prohibits motorcycles from operating between 11:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. County Police Commander, Fasu Sheriff announced the regulation in a press briefing, stressing that the measure was necessary to protect lives and restore public confidence in security.
“We want to regulate motorcycle movement for security reasons and to protect our people. No motorcycle will be allowed on the road during the specified hours,” Sheriff told reporters.
Under the rules, violators will face arrest and questioning. Sheriff noted that some exemptions will be granted to essential workers and late-shift employees, provided they can properly identify themselves. In such cases, officers may escort them to their destinations. The decision followed consultations with County Attorney Jonathan Flomo and Superintendent Loleyah Norris, as well as other members of the Bong County leadership.
Sheriff emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader crackdown on nighttime criminal activity, which has rattled residents in recent months.
Security Concerns
Driving the Ban in Gbarnga, a bustling trade hub in central Liberia, is that the City has witnessed a spike in nighttime robberies and violent attacks on business owners. Many of these incidents, residents say, have left victims traumatized and struggling to recover financially.
Police have made limited progress in apprehending the perpetrators in most instances, fueling calls for stronger interventions. The clampdown comes on the heels of a major operation last week in which joint security forces demolished the Kampala ghetto, a notorious enclave near the United Methodist Compound. The area, long considered a breeding ground for crime and drug abuse, had sheltered hundreds of disadvantaged youths, including women battling addiction.
Community Reactions
The late-night travel ban has drawn mixed reactions across Gbarnga. Some business owners and residents welcomed the decision, saying it could deter criminals who rely on motorcycles for quick getaways. “People are afraid to even stay out late these days,” said a shopkeeper in Jorquelleh District. “If this will help us sleep better at night, then we are for it.”
Others, especially motorcycle and taxi operators, worry that the curfew will reduce their main source of income. Commercial motorcycling is one of the biggest sources of employment for young men in Bong County and throughout Liberia, many of whom rely on nighttime passengers leaving entertainment venues and night markets.
While Bong County Police Commander, Sheriff acknowledged those concerns, he urged cooperation. “We ask for patience from the public. This is about saving lives,” he said, pointing out that “The restriction will stay in place until we are satisfied that the situation has improved.”
Over the past decade, police across several counties, including Montserrado, Nimba, and Lofa, have restricted motorcycle movements at night as part of crime-control strategies. However, the enforcement has often caused tension between law enforcement agencies, especially the security forces and riders, who see the bans as unfair and economically harmful. Bong authorities emphasize that the restriction is a temporary but necessary measure in the fight against crime. The sheriff urged the public, especially riders involved in commerce, to fully comply with the order while authorities work to restore stability. “We cannot allow criminals to use motorcycles to terrorize our people,” he said.
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