As Representative Writes Plenary to Summon IGP and Justice Minister
By: J. Mason Kollie
Lofa County, Voinjama City-Thursday, February 20,2025-Citizens of Lofa County are currently living in fear for their lives in the wake of uninvestigated alleged ritualistic killing. The present situation has created a sort of panic to the extent that, Electoral District #5 Representative Hon. Augustine Chiwolo has written plenary to summon the Police IG and Justice Minister.
Several citizens in Voinjama City and surrounding towns as well as villages are said to be living in fear as a result of continuous uninvestigated alleged ritualistic killing in communities.
Citizens calling on several radio stations disclosed that they are afraid to send their children to school or even to go to the market, go on farm as a result of killing in the community without investigation.
“My brother, as soon as is 7:00 pm in Voinjama and several Towns in Lofa County, you see people running to go home” Forkpah Tamba ,a caller said on Radio Wologizi FM 87.9 MHz in Voinjama City.
Another caller said, “For me, I can’t even send my children to school, when I going to the market, I carry them o, we sell the whole day and go home at 5:00pm; go to bed at 8:00pm,” a single mother Makorpo said in another radio interview.
In less than three months, many deaths were reported in several districts across Lofa County. Foya district reported one death a child while Kolahun district another one is to have occurred. Zorzor and Voinjama districts reported the highest number of deaths in recent days thereby posing fear amongst residents of Voinjama City.
Following several calls from residents accompanied by threatening remarks to burn down police stations and other important facilities, the police Inspector General through the PSD department launched an investigation and came up with a finding of the recent alleged killings.
According the LNP release dated, February 17,2025,the Force have decided to implement comprehensive change to the county’s current Police Command following the current team poor handling of a 17year old suspect, Yarkpawolo Moisema who unfortunately while he was still in police custody under unexplained circumstances.
In view of the aforementioned, the Police hierarchy has taken the following measures: ACP Bob L. Jackson, Commander of the Lofa County Police Detachment, and CIP Stephen T. Yawoe, Acting Commander of the Crimes Service Department in Lofa, have been relieved of their duties; both ACP Jackson and CIP Yawoe have been suspended for three months without pay; Inspector Saah Bundor and Sergeant Seleke Trawally have been suspended for two months without pay; and Detective Francis Duo and Patrolman Amilton F. Kollie has been exonerated.
The LNP release then concluded by stating “The entire Lofa County Police Command will be changed to reinforce the integrity of the force and uphold the highest standards of discipline and human rights.”
Meanwhile, despite LNP release and reassurance the public is yet overcome this current fear ;they are not satisfied about the outcome of the investigation and they are therefore the police to forward the names mentioned in its investigative findings to court without any delay.
Meanwhile, Lofa County District #5 Representative Hon. Augustine Chiwolo in a radio interview on Radio Wologizi disclosed that he has written the police IG , and Ministry of Justice to explain why update from the police and Ministry of Justice is delaying causing the citizens to suspect foul play and causing fear in communities particularly in Voinjama and its environs.
At the same time, Lofa County Superintendent Hon. J. Lavela Massaquoi, and several local Officials are calling on citizens to remain calm as they are not resting on the matter.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
