Margibi County—The Liberia National Police (LNP) in Margibi County has arrested and charged ten men, most of them motorcyclists, in connection with a riot that disrupted a murder investigation in Kakata over the weekend.
By Yawah Y. Jaivey
According to police, the incident began around 7:45 a.m. on April 10 after police authorities received a report of an unconscious man being found along the road from Mandina Community in Kakata to the Muslim graveyard.
The victim was later identified as 22-year-old Eric Kolleh of Morris Farm, who reportedly had multiple wounds.
Police charged sheet stated that while police officers were conducting preliminary investigations, a group of motorcyclists allegedly intervened, demanding the release of suspects previously charged in a separate mob violence case.
The group reportedly warned that no investigation into Eric Kolleh’s death would proceed unless their demands were met.
Police said the situation escalated when the motorcyclists became aggressive, obstructed the crime scene and blocked the Monrovia–Gbarnga highway between Morris Farm and the BWI Bridge, disrupting traffic and public movement.
According to reports, attempts to disperse the crowd peacefully failed, leading to the deployment of the Police Support Unit (PSU).
After several hours of confrontation, officers used what they described as “proportional force” to restore order, resulting in the arrest of ten suspects.
Those arrested and charged include Moenu K. Massaquoi, Aaron Flomo, Titus Gbar, Jerrmie Dean, Joseph Tokpah, Hassan Barrie, Morris Fahnbulleh, Jonah Yokpa, Josephus Wehjoe and Nuch Barclay.
Police said the suspects were apprehended along the highway, despite the suspects denying their involvement.
The suspects have been accused of blocking traffic, engaging in violent behavior and interfering with an ongoing investigation.
The police reports quoted that additional disruptions were reported even after the victim’s body was transported to C.H. Rennie Hospital.
Meanwhile, the suspects have been charged with multiple offenses, including obstruction of a highway, felonious restraint, menacing, criminal attempt, tampering with an investigation and disorderly conduct and have been forwarded to Kakata Magisterial Court for prosecution.
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