Monrovia – At least three members of a ‘strange’ church named Saint Assembly International is currently undergoing preliminary investigation at the Liberia National Police (LNP).
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
The investigation by LNP follows several articles published by FrontPage Africa, establishing that the church is denying children education and family values.
Some affected parents’ statements were taken by officers while requesting the church to be closed down.
Those arrested include Patrick Gargar, Michael Zehedee and Kelvin Kweh from separate branches of the church.
Many parents have complained that the church has brainwashed their children. They claim the church is depriving children of using bath soap for shower and cologne.
The church is also accused of preventing young members from attending school.
One parent identified as Marie Karnue said her son started attending the church in 2015 after he was invited by a friend.
She said he left the house since July 26 of last year and has since refused to return, adding that no search of him has proven results despite police intervention.
She narrated that her son used to wake up at 3:30 am and leave their home and she became afraid.
“I told them if they want my son to be part of their church he shouldn’t be involved in strange activities,” she said.
Marie said she had to abandon schooling to come in town to control her son since her brother could not keep him away from the church; unfortunately, her son ran away from the house unknowingly to the family.
She said since her son was promoted to 12th grade, he has refused to go back to school months after he came in contact with the Saint Assembly.
“It’s frustrating that my son is on the street, I think that the church is demonic because it taking young people and spoiling their lives, the Government must act now,” she added.
Recently, former Speaker of the Children Parliament, who is now head of Youth in Action for Peace and Empowerment, Satta Sheriff called for an investigation of the church to avert the violation of children’s rights to education.
“We have given the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ministry of Justice/Liberia National Police a four-day ultimatum to investigate the Saint Assembly Church for immediate closure if all that has been reported by the media and collected by YAPE are proven to be absolute truth,” she said.
“We believe the government of Liberia through the concern authorities will act responsibly and listen to the calls of the Liberian children.”