Liberia: Journalist Arrested for Illegal Possession of Firearm

Monrovia-The Liberia National Police (LNP) has arrested a Liberian journalist, Nana Gyamfi, 28 years old, for the illegal possession of a firearm.

Journalist Gyamfi, an employee of Kwatekeh Radio in Monrovia was arrested on Tuesday, September 3, at the Radio Station located at the Capital By-pass, following a tip-off to security personnel.

The firearm was discovered in his bag at Kwatekeh Radio Station, where he has been employed for barely two weeks.

Initially, during a cellphone conversation, Journalist Gyamfi told a colleague that the forearm was given to him by his sister who is a personal of the EPS, while he was not identified.

However, LNP said in his statement, that Mr. Gyamfi claimed that he obtained the firearm from an unidentified man in the Johnsonville community, where he resides.

The police noted that Journalist Gyamfi upheld that he carried the gun for his protection while commuting to work.

Gyamfi has however informed his colleague that the weapon was given to him by his sister on the allegation that Voice of Liberia is on the government radar, and because his institution is located within the same building, he was advised by his sister to use armed-arm for his protection.

The suspect is currently in custody at the LNP Headquarters undergoing investigation.

The LNP has noted that it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and will continue to enforce the laws of Liberia without fear or favor.

“We urge the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.”

The latest arrest of Journalist Gyamfi with their forearm has created fear among journalists in the country, who normally coverage at various reportorial assignments across the country, with some emphasizing the need for regulating firearm possession.