27 additional arrests in Lofa
-Joint Security denies biased response
By Lincoln G. Peters
Liberia’s Joint Security says it has arrested over twenty-seven suspects following election violence in Foya, Lofa County, but denies it was biased in carrying out the arrests.
At least two persons were reported dead, 19 others were wounded, and several properties were destroyed during political violence on Friday, 29 September 2023 in Foya.
Supporters of Liberia’s two main rival political parties – the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the opposition Unity Party (UP) were said to have engaged in the violence.
The Joint Security says those arrested are all from diverse political institutions, rejecting claims that the opposition was targeted in the arrest.
The Spokesman of the Liberia National Police, H. Moses Carter provided an update to the public on behalf of the Joint Security on Wednesday evening, 4 October 2023.
Carter said allegations linking the Joint Security to arresting only opposition partisans in the Lofa violence are false and misleading.
Carter explained that those arrested were from all of the political parties and were participants in the Lofa County political violence.
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“That the Joint Security special investigative team is only arresting individuals of one political institution, we like to clarify to you that our arrest being made in the incident on Foya, Lofa County covers every actor that participated in the violence that left two persons dead,” said Mr. Carter.
“Our arrest is not being made on which party you are from, but the commission or participation [in] the crime,” Mr. Carter stated.
At the same time, he noted that they were fortunate to have obtained video footage with which they will ensure that the families of those who lost their lives in the Foya incident get justice.
He pointed out that they had arrested a man identified as Abraham Yanyanko who was seen with a single barrow pistol in his hands during the Foya violence.
“We are also pleased to inform you that a total of twenty-seven persons have been arrested. In one of the video footages on social media and various platforms, a young man was seen with a single barrow pistol.”
“And we want to inform you that the young man has been arrested. This man was arrested at the border between Liberia and Sierra Leone,” Mr. Carter added.
He noted that the Joint Security remains resolute that anybody who makes threatening statements or engages in violence will be dealt with by the Joint Security.
