Bong Citizens Go on Rampage -For Attempted Kidnap
By: Lewis K. Glay
Forum
Monrovia, Liberia
Distributed by
The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
The incident reportedly started at about 5:00 am until 8:00am thereby bringing normal activities and traffic along the route to a standstill.
The Nigerian UNMIL personnel have been accused of an attempted adoption of two citizens of the district for ritualistic purposes which fueled the anger of the citizens at dawn yesterday in Suakoko.
A UN bus carrying the Nigerian UNMIL Formed Police on which the citizens suspected that their kinsmen were being adopted on was reportedly attacked and destroyed while a UNDP Reintegration and Rehabilitation Field Officer, Alexander Anokam who was also suspected to be part of the attempted ritualistic killing was said to have been injured and his house looted and ransacked.
Bong County Superintendent Rennie Jackson was quoted as admitting the setting up of roadblocks by the angry citizens whom he said were later convinced thereby removing same.
According to Superintendent Jackson, the citizens had protested that the Nigerian UNMIL personnel be removed from their area because of their attempted ritualistic activities which is said to have been observed by them for long.
Both parties are expected to meet in Gbarnga on Thursday 18 May 2006 to resolve the impasse.
Meanwhile, a press release from UNDP in Monrovia yesterday indicated that
its Reintegration and Rehabilitation Field Officer, Alexander Anokam has
been assaulted in Sergeant Kollie Town (SKT) near the Phebe Hospital. The
release did not however explain who assaulted Mr. Anokam and for what reason.
Consequently, activities of the UNDP RR Office in Gbarnga have reportedly
been halted temporarily until investigation is completed into what transpired.