Public outrage has become full-fledged in Forpoh Gbarken Community, Grand Kru County over the detention of elders in connection to the deaths of two individuals.
The incident followed the deaths of two young men, who reportedly died while working inside an unfinished well.
For that reason, residents have questioned why community elders had remained in detention as the circumstances that surrounded the fatalities are yet to be fully addressed.
The incident, which has plunged the community into mourning, reportedly occurred after construction resumed on an unfinished well during the peak of the rainy season.
Residents alleged that a businessman overseeing the project instructed local youths to enter the water-filled well to continue the construction without adequate safety measures or proper protective equipment.
The two young men reportedly lost their lives during the operation, thereby triggering grief, anger and renewed calls for accountability.
Tensions escalated after some enraged residents damaged property belonging to the businessman. Following the incident, several community elders, including women, were arrested and detained in Barclayville in connection with the alleged destruction of property.
Their arrests have fueled widespread criticism, with residents arguing that law enforcement appears to be acting more swiftly on allegations of property damage than on the deaths that sparked the unrest.
The situation has intensified public concern as claims by the businessman that US$700,000 went missing from his residence during the disturbance.
Many residents say, the reported missing money has seemingly become a greater investigative priority than determining whether negligence contributed to the deaths of the two young men.
The incident has prompted Oleo N. C. Wreh, Jr., a son of Buahforpoh, to publicly call on the Grand Kru County Authority, the Liberia National Police, and the Grand Kru Legislative Caucus to immediately intervene.
Wreh has meanwhile, demanded an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into the deaths, a determination of whether criminal negligence or other legal violations occurred, and equal treatment of both the fatalities and the alleged property damage.
He also called for an urgent review of the detention of community elders, among them, women.
He argued that no one should remain imprisoned in the absence of the law.
“No individual, regardless of wealth or influence, should be above the law.”
Wreh stressed the need for justice to be applied “fairly and without discrimination.”
He further argued that the lives of ordinary Liberians must never be treated as less important than money or property, insisting that the bereaved families deserve answers and accountability.
As mourning continues in Forpoh Gbarken, residents have urged authorities to act swiftly to restore public confidence and ensure that the investigation follows the facts wherever they lead.
