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Tappita – Police in Tappita, Nimba County have been accused by residents of the area of going beyond the government’s lockdown mandate by forcefully ordering them to stay indoors.
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The distressed residents, speaking to FrontPage Africa Saturday evening said that the police, headed by the Commander of Tappita Detail, Augustine Gbarleah has launched an intensive patrol into the neighborhoods, chasing them indoors, and in the process damaging their belongings including food and non-food items.
A resident of Gbi Quarter identified only as Jerry told FrontPageAfrica that the police, more than five in number stormed his resident and chased them indoor.
When he inquired why they were chasing people in the neighborhoods, Jerry said Commander Gbarleah dumped the food that was being prepared for his family and attempted beating his siblings.
The community radio station, Voice of Tappita also reported that several residents complained that they were being manhandled by the police at their respective homes for not staying indoors.
The station quoted a lady only identified as Yvonne as saying that the police wasted her food from the kitchen when they trooped in to her residence to effect the government’s order.
Yvonne can be heard explaining her ordeal in a video clip on social media where she accused the commander of ordering his men to flog her daughter for questioning why they were chasing them in the neighborhoods.
However, Gbarleah denied the allegations, and said he and his men were only enforcing the mandate that all residents should stay at home after the 3 p.m. deadline.
He told FPA that most of the residents were violating the lockdown order and with the help of the local authorities, were enforcing the mandate.
Tappita, is the only place in Nimba County that has reported a COVID-19 case so far.
The case involved a man who was confirmed dead upon arrival at the Jackson F. Doe Referral Hospital.
According to sources, the disease had arrived from the United States for a dowry ceremony in a nearby town called Zuotuo when he began showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Because of the incident, Nimba County was among four counties whose residents are ordered to stay home for 14 days by President George Weah, while declaring a state of emergency in a bid to stop the spread of the disease.
The other counties include Montserrado, Margibi and Grand Kru, while the rest of the country [including the four counties] remain quarantined for 21 days.
President Weah, in his declaration said throughout this period, residents may leave home only for essential journeys for reasons of health and food, which should be restricted to local community only, and be limited to a single person per household for a maximum of one hour.
The President also stated that exceptions shall be made for persons who are designated as essential staff in government offices, banks, supermarkets, and other business establishments such as hotels, petrol stations, and health facilities to travel directly to work and return directly home, adding “All such commercial activities are to be closed no later than 3:00 p.m.”
Meanwhile, the President’s declared state of emergency took effect 11:59 p. m. on Friday and is being observed throughout the length and breadth of the country.
Though it has not met legislative approval, the lockdown has been viewed as a timely measure put in place to curb the spread of the deadly virus that has increased rapidly over the last week.
As of Saturday, April 11, total recorded cases in Liberia stood at 48, with five deaths, three recoveries and 40 active cases.