By Shallon S. Gonlor
GOMPA CITY, Nimba County — A violent protest by commercial motorcyclists demanding justice for a murdered colleague erupted in Nimba on Tuesday, leaving a 60-year-old bystander severely injured and the city in chaos. Elizabeth Flomo was caught in the crossfire of clashes between police and demonstrators, sustaining a severe eye injury that has left her fighting for her sight and her life in the intensive care unit of Ganta Methodist Hospital.
The turmoil was triggered by the brutal killing of 17-year-old motorcyclist Jackson Roland. Roland was murdered by unknown assailants near CMC Junction on Monday, September 1, and his motorbike was stolen. The initial, quiet burial of his remains incited fury among his peers, who argued it would destroy evidence and demanded the body be exhumed.
The situation exploded on Tuesday afternoon. Hundreds of angry motorcyclists stormed the Ganta Police Station, where two suspects in the killing were being held before their transfer to the Gbarnga Regional Hub.
The protest swiftly turned violent. Demonstrators set tires ablaze at major intersections, sending thick black smoke over Gompa City and forcing businesses to shutter. The city’s main streets, typically bustling, were deserted as citizens fled for safety. Police responded to rocks thrown at the station with volleys of tear gas, creating a war-like atmosphere. It was in this maelstrom that Elizabeth Flomo, an elderly resident unrelated to the protest, was gravely wounded.
Pleading for Help
“My mother is alive, but she’s going through the worst time of her life right now,” said her daughter, Patience Flomo, from the hospital. With her mother facing a long and challenging recovery due to her age and the severity of her injuries, Patience has made a public appeal for financial assistance to cover mounting medical expenses. At the hospital, doctors are working tirelessly, conducting X-rays and providing intensive care to stabilize their critical patient.
As normalcy slowly returned to Gompa City on Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mendin Larmie addressed the public, vowing to deliver justice not only for the murdered motorcyclist but also for the violence that followed. Speaking on Radio Kergheamahn’s breakfast show, ACP Mendin urged calm and cooperation. “This is a process, and we will do due diligence. Justice will prevail,” he stated, assuring a thorough investigation.
He also issued a direct call to the leadership of the motorcyclists’ union: “Caution your members against violence and help us identify individuals seeking to exploit this situation.” The police commander emphasized that collaboration, not violence, is the only path to peace and justice for all affected, including the innocent victims like Elizabeth Flomo.
