“…Or how can anyone go into a strong man’s house and steal his property unless he first overpowers and ties up the strong man? Then he will ransack and rob his house,” says the Holy Bible.
Howbeit, its barely a month from now when President Joseph Boakai is expected to constitutionally deliver his first Legislative address as sitting President in the joint chambers of the Legislature when that portion of the Capitol Building to be used for said purpose was set ablaze.
Wednesday morning was a shock to the literate and upright while a play of foolishness to the illiterate when Liberians and their foreign residents awoke to fussy flaming fire soaked the middle of the sacred building hosting the first branch of government in Monrovia.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the flames at about 6:02 A.M which lasted till the break of dawn with firefighters struggling to contain the spread as the joint chamber was already razed.
It is still believed to be the doing of unknown individual(s), though suspects are being arrested and that has prompted widespread condemnation and a flurry of accusations among lawmakers.
This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, emphasizing the impossibility of the task without a specific action. “Anyone” is indefinite, suggesting that no person, regardless of strength or cunning, can achieve the task described without following the necessary steps.
The “strong man” symbolizes a figure of power and authority while the “house” represents the domain or realm under the strong man’s control.
Historically, homes were fortified places, and entering one without permission implied a significant breach of security and this suggests the challenge of confronting evil forces entrenched in their domain.
The act of stealing implies taking something of value that belongs to another referring to liberating souls or reclaiming what the enemy has unlawfully taken while the possessions could symbolize people or blessings that have been held captive by evil influences.
“Ties up” indicates binding or restraining, a necessary action to neutralize the strong man’s power and this reflects the need for an authority and power to overcome evil while plunder” conveys the idea of taking spoils or reclaiming what was lost.
The successful plundering of the house signifies victory over the strong man, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
In this case, there was a preceding incident which occurred just a day after police used tear gas to disperse protesters at a planned demonstration thereby raising questions about the motives behind the fire and the potential involvement of some political figures.
This latest incident adds to the already volatile political climate in Liberia, where divisions within the Legislature and public discontent have been growing.
According to our reporter, the fire further damaged the rotunda which is just below the joint chambers but on the ground floor of the building.
As it stands, the investigation is jointly involving the Liberia National Fire Service, Ministry of Justice, and other security agencies.
During the incident, Fire fighters from the LNFS faced significant challenges in their efforts to contain the blaze, thus witnessing water trucks from the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) all mobilized to assist.
However, the intensity of the fire and logistical difficulties left firefighters overwhelmed, with several requiring medical attention after collapsing from exhaustion as the walls of the chamber collapsed under the intense heat and pressure.
Authorities have since assured the public that the investigation will be thorough and have called for patience as they work to determine the cause of this devastating incident, ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that the three persons currently in police custody, undergoing investigation were reportedly caught in the office of Representatives Frank Saah Foko, while other discoveries were a clora bottle containing liquid suspected to be gas. The incident has also exposed the fragility of the country’s political institutions and the deep-seated divisions that threaten to undermine progress. With accusations flying and investigations underway, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of governance in Liberia.
