By Shallon S. Gonlor (shallonsgonlor@gmail.com)
GOMPA CITY, Nimba County — The Liberia National Police has arrested six individuals connected to the recent protest in Ganta. According to General Police Commander of the Liberia National Police Nimba Detachment, ACP Larmie Mendein, the six arrested individuals were the ring leaders during the protest.
The arrested individuals include Timothy Yeanay, Darius Saplay, Rujar Sumo, Joseph Harris, Myres Weah, and Daniel Dolo. They face charges of rioting, criminal mischief, theft of property, aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit arson, and disorderly conduct.
ACP Mendein stated that the six individuals were identified through a video photograph from the protest scene. He revealed that an additional group of people will be arrested in connection with the same protest as the investigation continues.
“We have a video in our possession that shows almost all who participated in the protest and the setting of road blocks and the burning of tires on the road, and they will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the laws,” ACP Mendein stated.
ACP Mendein explained that most of the protesters were not regular motorcyclists but rather people suspected of being drug dealers who were venting their anger due to the community and LDEA’s recent crackdown on illicit drugs in the city.
The police have a video in their possession that shows almost all who participated in the protest and the setting of roadblocks and the burning of tires on the road. ACP Mendein assured that those in the video will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the laws.
The police commander maintained that those arrested are not linked to the death of Roland Johnson, who was killed before their arrest. “The police are still investigating the matter, and two individuals, Johnathan Dahn and Amos Boayou, have been charged with armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and theft of property,” he stated.
The violent protest by commercial motorcyclists demanding justice for a murdered colleague erupted in Gompa City, Nimba County on Tuesday, leaving several persons, including a 60-year-old bystander woman severely injured and the city of Gompa 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.
Calm has since returned to Gompa City on Wednesday as police authorities in the county launched, continued investigating two issues; violent protest and as well as justice for murdered motorcyclist Jackson Roland and others.
