Police Monday confirmed the arrest of some 75 persons in connection with the recruitment of Liberian mercenaries and Ivorian refugees in Grand Gedeh County, prompting the tightening of security at Liberia’s border with Cote d’Ivoire.

A top police commander, who spoke to this paper on condition of anonymity, said additional officers of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) have been deployed at the border to beef up security due to the situation.

“No need to panic. As I am speaking to you, the strength of our men has been increased at the border. We are just from having elections and a new government in place in this country…we will not allow any trouble. We are in control,” the police commander said in an exclusive interview.

He said some of the security personnel deployed there would assist the police detachment assigned in Grand Gedeh to investigate suspects already arrested and detained at the palace of correction in Zwedru.

One of the suspects is reported to have sustained injuries during the police swoop at one of the recruitment sites.