by Rocheford Gardiner
HARPER DISTRICT – A wave of mysterious fires targeting private farms in Maryland County’s Harper District is causing significant financial losses for landowners, particularly those in the diaspora. While once sporadic, the frequency of these suspected arson attacks has surged over the last twelve months, specifically along the Rock Town-Fish Town belt.
The Latest Target: Win Win Farm
The most recent victim is Mr. Winston Bedell, a Marylander residing in the United States. His property, Win Win Farm, located near Rock Town, was recently set ablaze. According to Mr. Bedell—who is currently abroad seeking support for his agricultural projects back hjome—local residents managed to extinguish a previous fire attempt. However, arsonists struck again late last week, successfully destroying at least 60 acres of cultivated land, including:
- 50 acres of coconut trees
- 5 acres of oil palm
- 5 acres of banana plants
Mr. Bedell joins a growing list of victims, including Dr. James Elliott’s Wah Farm and the Woart Farms, both owned by Marylanders living abroad.
A Pattern of Sabotage
The recurring nature of the fires suggests a deliberate campaign. The Wah Farms alone have endured more than four such incidents over the last 12 years across multiple locations in Harper District, including Pedeboe, Rock Town, and Cavalla.
“There is an apparent pattern here,” Mr. Bedell told this outlet. “Why would they not want us to come back home and help rebuild our own homeland?”
Security Failure and Local Inaction
Despite efforts to involve the Liberia National Police (LNP) and local authorities, records show no tangible progress in identifying the culprits. Traditional leaders have condemned the acts but claim to be “clueless” as to the identity of the perpetrators.
The Maryland County Legislative Caucus is aware of these incidents but has not said or done much over the years.
The crisis highlights a dismal security landscape in Maryland County. Currently, the county is guarded by no more than a single platoon of regular and special arm-bearing LNP units. This skeleton crew is so under-resourced that reinforcements must be scrambled from Monrovia or neighboring counties whenever a riot or significant threat arises.
Compounding the issue is the conduct of the overstretched force. Reports suggest that many officers prefer manning checkpoints to levy fees on commercial vehicles rather than patrolling vulnerable areas. Ironically, a makeshift checkpoint at the former Ivoirian Refugee Camp (Little Wleboe) operates in the immediate vicinity of the targeted farms. However, this post only appears during high-traffic periods—such as harvest time, Sundays, and holidays—and vanishes at night when the arsonists are most active.
Economic Consequences
The unchecked lawlessness is creating a “PR nightmare” for the county’s development. Potential investors—whether local Marylanders, other Liberians, or international partners—are likely to be deterred from the ecotourism and agricultural sectors if their investments cannot be protected.
As it stands, the message being sent to the world is clear: Maryland County’s business environment remains a high-risk gamble where lawlessness currently prevails.