By Paul G. Rancy, Southeastern Region Supervisor
ZWEDRU, May 18 (LINA) – Angry youth in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County have set ablaze the police headquarters in the county in protest over the death of one youth who was allegedly killed by a Fula merchant.
The action by the protesting youth, according to the Liberia News Agency (LINA) reporter in the county, was subsequently exacerbated after a police vehicle accidentally ran into a crowd of protestors who had gathered at the provision store of the Fula businessman.
One person was severely injured and has since been taken for treatment after the police car (pickup) rushed into the crowd of protestors.
The deceased youth, only identified as AB, is said to be a Correction Officer at the Correction Palace prison in Zwedru.
AB, according to one of the youth leaders, Dedee McClain, went to the shop of the Fula merchant located on Desuah St. to purchase some items on the eve of Ramadan and left the shop with the consent of the salesman that he would return later to collect his change.
AB, accordingly returned to the shop to collect his change but the salesman who is yet to be identified claimed that he could not remember having a business transaction with the deceased, a situation which ignited a feud that later resulted into a scuffle between the two during which AB was allegedly hit by the Fula merchant and fell to the floor.
The deceased was then rushed to the Martha Tubman Memorial Hospital in Zwedru and was, however, pronounced dead late Monday, May 17, 2021.
The death of AB aggravated his colleagues who then out of anger decided to troop to the site of the incident.
Upon receiving a tipoff, police in the county were quick to rush to the scene in a bid to protect the community and prevent the destruction of properties.
Suddenly, a vehicle belonging to the Police Support Unit (PSU) accidentally ran into the crowd injuring a young man who is believed to be the President of the Motorcycle Union in Zwedru, thereby prompting the protestors to throng the police headquarters and set it ablaze.
Several motorbikes and valuable properties were also burned, as the angry mob broke into the police cell and released several inmates.
According to LINA reporter, officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia were deployed in the streets, and since then, order has returned to Zwedru.
