The New Republic Liberia

As the nation’s capital with its environs continues to grief pathetically from the horror and terror perpetrated in the various communities by hardcore criminals mainly armed robbers, the Director of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Col. Chris Massaquoi has come under a barrage of criticisms and condemnation for not doing enough to curtail the menace and has been told to step down.

Of late, several communities in the city of Monrovia have been reportedly badly terrorized by roaming armed robbers wounding poor peaceful and defenseless citizens and making away with their hard earned belongings, and despite all efforts applied to contact the police to come to their rescue, disappointment is all that they get in return as in most cases the police will not show up and just in case they ever attempt to come, it is long after the criminals have caused the damage and left before they come in.

Amidst the public outcry regarding the agony that continues to be inflicted on the peaceful and defenseless people in their various communities by these armed robbers which is becoming a perpetual nightmare confronting them, (the people) thus calling for the resignation of the boss of the police, an occupant of the Old Road Community, Mr.  Yekeh Kolubah cited moments that the community was constantly placed under siege by armed robbers who plundered people’s valuables without the police coming in for them in spite of the all many calls to the police thereby urgently adding his voice for the Chief of the police to step aside.

Mr. Kolubab in a phone-in program hosted by a local television station in Monrovia Wednesday, was critical with the authority of the police’s inability to level up to the challenge pose by the criminals and as such exposing the people to the attacks carried out by the latter without any thought of fear for the police which is disturbing and highly frustrating.

But at the regular Thursday (weekly) news conference hosted by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Director Massaquoi unveils the plan of action that will enable the police to provide the need security by beefing up its night patrol. According to him, there are some vehicles marked night patrol and put aside strictly for such operation and will not be used by any other person. He also noted that the city has been divided into blocks and cells in order to effectively carry out the patrol and be responsive to the calls of the people.

Police Director Massaquoi conceded that the armed robbers are becoming increasingly sophisticated whereas the LNP is not properly equipped and adequately prepared to fight armed robbers, adding that the LNP cannot battle armed robbers with Batons.

He said that the LNP understands the anger in the public as it relates to the recent incident and was extending his deepest apology on behalf of the LNP to all those who in recent time were victimized by armed robbers.

Using the occasion to congratulate partisans, supporters and sympathizers of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) for conducting themselves in an orderly manner, Inspector General Massaquoi stated that the LNP doesn’t have the capacity to be everywhere at the same time.

Touching on Yekeh’s, criticism, Director Massaquoi pointed out that the bitterness of Yekeh is rooted in his dismissal from the LNP due to his bad record and is now fighting him because of position.

He explained that Yekeh has been asking him to be reconsidered for employment, but the LNP has gathered information that Yekeh is found of allegedly getting outside of his house naked at night and allegedly encouraging armed robbers to harass peaceful citizens, adding, “we are watching and keeping a close eye on him.