Four arrested over pastor’s disappearance

Police in Grand Kru County, southeast Liberia have arrested four persons over suspicion that they are allegedly responsible for the mysterious disappearance of a pastor in Jakapoh, Dorobo Statutory District.

The missing pastor in person of Dester Wiah is reported to have gone missing mysteriously after sweeping his yard in the early morning hours of Friday, 28 April. Prime suspect Victoria Wiah is alleged to have confessed to police in Grand Kru that she has turned the missing clergy over to her kidnapping club on grounds of his alleged refusal to give her financial assistance each time she makes request.

She has been arrested along with suspects Jerome Nyanatee, Alphonso Blamo and Elizabeth Sannoh. They have been charged with kidnapping and awaiting court trial. The NewDawn’s correspondent says suspect Victoria has told police preliminary investigation in Grand Kru that the missing pastor is working and earning money, but has refused to provide financial assistance for her.

Pastor Wiah is said to have been working as messenger in the office of Dorbor District Superintendent. The NewDawn’s correspondent says a police search team has been out in search of the missing clergy since his mysterious disappearance.

Our correspondent says the missing pastor has not yet been located up to press time. Police are said to be searching the district vigorously, and have arrested four persons for their alleged connection to the pastor’s disappearance.

The four arrested suspects are being held behind bars in the Grand Kru capital of Barclayville. The suspects’ detention in police custody in Jakapoh Town is also aimed at rescuing them from the hands of angry crowd, our correspondent says.

The head of the police search team and commander of Crimes Services Department in Grand Kru, Maxwell Tarwily says the police search team will remain vigilant to ensure that those arrested go through the due process of law.

He assures citizens of Grand Kru County that the perpetrators will not go with impunity. The CSD Commander has meanwhile called for more collaborative efforts from citizens of the district and county administration to buttress the efforts of the police. He concludes that citizens need not to panic on grounds that the Liberia National Police or LNP will do its best to protect lives and properties in that part of Liberia.
By George K. Momo/ Grand Kru-Editing by Winston W. Parley