By Patrick N. Tokpah,
Bong County Correspondent
Road traffic deaths and injuries remain abnormally high on the Monrovia-Gbarnga Highway, according to the Police Commander of Bong County Fasu V. Sheriff.
He said frequently, scores of commuters suffer from disabilities in auto crashes while others lose their lives.
The Bong County Police Commander revealed that such an accident occurred last week during an unprecedented night trip, thereby incinerating the lives of five persons.
The numbers are devastating. The Data revealed by the Bong County Chapter of the Liberia National Police painted a frightening reality. The police said that over 13 persons have lost their lives and several wounded since the start of 2023, which has caused some of them to be disabled.
“This tragic grim is on the increase, especially in Salala District #6, Bong County,” Commander Sheriff noted.
The Bong County Police Commander blamed the crashes on “speed violation, wrongful overtaking and other neglected traffic factors.”
“Commercial drivers overload their vehicles, engage in excessive speeding, and drive against the traffic rules, adding that the bad behavior of drivers on the Monrovia-Gbarnga Road has become the order of the day by exhibiting lawlessness and reckless driving,” he added.
However, the Bong County Police Commander has revealed that there are plans underway for the LNP to establish a Highway Patrol Team in order to help curtail some of the accidents.
In another development, Police in Gbarnga has charged and forwarded to court eight persons in connection with the death of Samuel Mulbah, a resident of Saybey Town, Jorquelleh District Two.
According to Police preliminary investigation, Victim Samuel Mulbah was discovered dead in Jor Creek with his hands allegedly tied on February 22, 2023, by some dwellers of Saybey’s Town in Yandiwon Clan, Jorquelleh District #2.
Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, John Kellenso Flomo, Commander of the Crime Services Division of the Liberia National Police Bong Detachment, disclosed that the Town Chief of Saybey Town admitted ordering seven youths of the area to arrest and tie the victim for allegedly beating or flogging Saturday Kerkulah, another resident of the town with a stick.
They alleged that Kerkulah was seen lying unconscious and bleeding after reportedly being flogged by Mulbah.
Meanwhile, the suspects speaking in an interview with journalists after Police investigation, admitted to arresting and tying the victim Samuel Mulbah but denied throwing him into a creek as is being claimed by the public.
According to them, upon the tying of the victim, the Town Chief of Saybay Town again instructed them to transport both Samuel Mulbah and Saturday Kerkulah to Nyallah Town, on grounds that suspect Samuel Mulbah should be turned over to the Community Watch Team in Nyallah Town for them to forward him (Samuel Mulbah) to the LNP headquarters in Gbarnga, while Saturday Kerkulah should be taken to the Phebe Hospital for treatment.
But, on the contrary, while Samuel Mulbah, Saturday Kerkulah along with seven of them were on the ferry crossing the Jor Creek; victim Samuel Mulbah allegedly jumped from the ferry into River.
According to the suspects, they didn’t make an effort to save the life of victim Samuel Mulbah upon jumping into the river, because it was about 7 pm, but felt reluctant to recuse him due to darkness.
The suspects are Aaron Saybay, Tamba David, Kermue Mulbah, Sumo Kerkulah, John Flomo, Emmanuel Saybah, Junior King, and Emmanuel Kollie.
However, the eighth suspects have been charged with murder and Criminal Conspiracy in accordance with 14.1 and 10.4 of the Penal Law of Liberia.
