Monrovia – At least nine officers of the Liberian National Police (LNP) have been suspended from the force. These officers’ suspension is in connection to suspect Alusine Jalloh’s escape from a prison at the headquarters of the LNP on Capitol Hill.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
Amos Neeblay and detective Thomas Cheayee, who are considered the two prime suspects, were suspended for time indefinite.
Neeblay is the officer who had the cell keys on the day suspect Jalloh, a Sierra Leonean, escaped. As for Cheayee, he did not do a roll call as customary when a suspect is to be released, according to the police.
Sources at the LNP told this newspaper that the seven of the nine were issued warning letters as they went out on their suspensions.
Last Saturday, September 8, Police Inspector General Patrick Sudue held discussions with family members and senior police officers said they do not support the blunder of officers; adding that the two will be charged with hindering law enforcement to serve as a deterrent.
Information reaching this newspaper speaks of LNP, the National Central Bureau of Freetown and Interpol collaborating to identify and arrest the fugitive.
Placards with his picture have been posted in border communities as a man-hunt is on for Jalloh.
Jalloh is suspected of murdering one Victor Fahnbulleh. Officers have established that the cloth on the head of the deceased when the body was found, belonged to the suspect.
A police statement issued in Monrovia said: “The Liberia National Police has declared wanted an alleged murder suspect identified as Alusine Jalloh for allegedly killing his stepson identified as Victor Fahnbulleh in the Brewerville Community outside Monrovia. Anyone knowing his whereabouts should kindly contact the Liberia National Police on the following numbers: 0770800415, 0770-800-422, 0770-800-673, 0770-800-117, 0886-593-983, 0770800122 or the nearest police station.”
Jalloh was not fully investigated prior to escaping detention as officers said investigators only have circumstantial evidence.
He absconded under the pretense that he was one of the suspected criminals in the cell who were being released.
Full investigation report is yet to be released to the public by the LNP.
It can be recalled youths of Banjor paraded the streets over the weekend expressing their disappointment and frustration over the action of the LNP.
Their petition read by Clarence Cole said their community is unsafe for residents.
The murdered man’s family said they find it difficult to accept that the suspect escaped.