Bong County Administrator Denies Calling Anti-Drug Campaigners “Drunkards”
By Jacob Kermue
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Bong County Administrator Mr Sam Bayougah Elliott has denied ever describing anti-drug campaigners as “drunkards”, following a wave of controversy that spread across social media after a recent petition presentation in Gbarnga.
The controversy erupted when a petition under the banner Say No to Drugs was presented to the Bong County Administration by a group of campaigners. Hours later, social media platforms were flooded with claims suggesting that Mr. Elliott had belittled the campaigners by labelling them “drunkards.”
The allegation quickly drew sharp reactions, with several young activists condemning Mr. Elliott’s alleged remarks. Among them was Joseph Madiba Ishmael Massaquoi, one of the lead campaigners, who accused the administrator of acting recklessly.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Massaquoi alleged that “before December, Sam Elliott’s criminal deeds in Bong County will come out, and he will be sacked. Take this to the bank.” He further described Mr Elliott’s statement as “reckless” and claimed that young people would not take it lightly.
Mr. Massaquoi also went further, suggesting that the county administrator himself was a suspect in drug-related activity. His post intensified debates online, fuelling public distrust and widening the controversy.
However, contrary to the accusations, a video obtained from the August 30, 2025 coverage shows Mr Elliott making no such comments during the petition ceremony. The footage instead captures him thanking the organisers and reaffirming the county’s commitment to the anti-drug fight.
In his remarks, Mr. Elliott stressed that the campaign against drugs required proper planning, coordination, and consultation. He told the gathering that the fight should not be reduced to spontaneous actions but must involve structured engagement with community leaders and authorities.
Addressing the campaigners directly, he said: “You did not leave your home under the rain for a joke. It is risky that it is raining and you are under the rain. Drugs have taken over our country, and we need to fight against drugs. It is incumbent upon everyone to fight this.”
Mr. Elliott reassured the campaigners that their petition would be delivered to Bong County Superintendent Madam Loileyah Hawa Norris upon her return. He promised that the county would work with the campaigners to organise a more structured anti-drug campaign.
He emphasised that the county authority was not against citizens fighting against drugs, but underscored the need for groups to formally identify themselves and work in collaboration with the Liberia National Police and other security institutions.
The administrator also reminded campaigners that drug dealers often operate within communities and households, making community participation vital in the anti-drug effort. “These drug sellers are living already in the community. They’re in our houses and we all know them. So, we have to fight against these things,” he said.
Mr. Elliott applauded the organisers for their courage despite the heavy rains, describing their turnout as “encouraging.” He assured them that their “effort, by the grace of God, will not be in vain” and called for collective responsibility in safeguarding Liberia’s youth from drugs.
He further warned that any security officer found colluding with drug traffickers would face serious consequences, including dismissal and possible recommendation to the President. “If you join them, we will recommend it to the President for your dismissal,” he stressed.
The administrator also commended President Joseph Boakai for what he described as “proactive action” against officials linked to the drug trade, urging the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and police to intensify their fight in Bong County.
