By: Shallon S. Gonlor |
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
SANNIQUILLIE, Nimba County — A potential tension is building up in Sanniquillie, Nimba County over the reported disappearance of Z. Tongor Duo, spokesperson for aggrieved SEGAL workers, after a police crackdown on a protest early Monday morning along the Arcelor-Mittal Liberia (AML) railway.
SEGAL is a privately owned security firm providing security for AML concession areas under a contractual agreement. The company is owned by Lofa County Senator, Momo Cyrus. The protest, staged by former and aggrieved workers, brought operations to a halt as demonstrators blocked a key section of the railway in Sanniquillie, demanding redress of long-standing grievances.
Armed police officers later intervened, dispersing the crowd with pepper spray and making multiple arrests.
Eyewitnesses and protest organizers say at least 13 individuals were taken into police custody during the operations. However, concerns have deepened following reports that Mr. Duo has not been seen since the police action.
The head of the aggrieved SEGAL workers, John Lehwoan, confirmed the development, alleging that the group’s spokesperson went missing shortly after officers moved in to break up the protest.
“Our spokesperson, Z. Tongor Duo, is missing after the police attack,” Lehwoan stated. “We believe top security officers on the ground have a role to play in his disappearance.”
Lehwoan further disclosed that attempts to reach Duo by phone yielded a distressing message believed to have been delivered under duress. “He said, ‘Gentlemen, pray for me. I’m in a hole. If you don’t see me, that’s it,” Lehwoan recounted, raising fears about Duo’s safety and whereabouts. As of press time, there has been no official statement from the authorities of the Liberia National Police in Nimba County regarding Duo’s whereabouts.
The situation remains fluid, with growing concern among residents and workers’ representatives over the use of force and the alleged disappearance. Authorities are yet to respond to accusations leveled by protest leaders, while calls for transparency and accountability continue to intensify.
The Standoff:
The Security Expert Guard Agency of Liberia (SEGAL), owned by Senator Momo Cyrus of Lofa County, is facing backlash after failing to pay a whopping $5,163,360 to 347 former redundant employees who were laid off in 2017. The 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, ruled in favor of the aggrieved workers in September 2025, ordering SEGAL to compensate them for their “illegal redundancy”.
The court case began when SEGAL workers, who were providing security for Arcelor Mittal Liberia in Nimba County, took to the streets in protest, citing unfair labor practices. The workers, who earned a monthly income of $155, had been seeking justice for over 8 years.
Judge Pape Suah’s ruling was based on a Supreme Court decision from May 29, 2025, which upheld the workers’ claims.
The court’s decision highlights the importance of dignity, respect, and fair treatment in labor practices. However, despite the ruling, SEGAL management has allegedly failed to pay the workers, sparking a renewed protest on April 13 joined by two new groups – Permanent Contractors and Redundant Employees of ArcelorMittal Liberia. The affected workers are still waiting for their dues, and the situation remains unresolved.
