FUAMAH, Bong – Residents of the China Union concession area and its surroundings in lower Bong County claim to be living in a state of fear following the gruesome murders of two private security officers of the Loyal Protective Guard Service.
The two officers, Oldman Kwesi and Morris Togba, were killed while on duty guarding of one of the biggest generators of China Union. Their mutilated bodies were found on November 12 in the St. Paul River. The discovery sent shockwaves of fear among residents near the company’s concession area.
No arrests have been made, but the Liberia National Police has rounded up several persons and is interrogating them.
Kwesi’s widow and the mother of his six children, Yatta Kwesi, told The Bush Chicken in Sackie Town that since news broke about her husband’s death, she has had sleepless nights.
“I am afraid to even go on our rice farm for fear that I may be the next victim,†she said.
Yatta added she believes the murderers of her husband are still at large because the surrounding area is isolated and can easily be used as a criminal hideout.
A partial view of nearby Sackie Town In Margibi County, where one of the deceased guards lived. Photo: Zeze Ballah
“I am still confused and yet to get over why my husband and his friend were murdered in cold blood,†Yatta said.
Richelieu Barclay, a resident of the Bong Mines community, told The Bush Chicken that the gruesome murder of these two LPGS security officers is worrisome.
Richelieu Barclay, a resident of the Bong Mines community. Photo: Zeze Ballah
“If the security officers that should be protecting residents in and around the China Union concession areas are brutally murdered, what becomes of the armless civilians,†Barclay wondered.
Barclay expressed concern that the lack of electricity in the Botota, Wokie, Benumia, Zawaila, Yorfeeta and Malonga housing units within the China Union concession areas left these communities vulnerable to criminals who could inflict harm on residents.
Barclay said that, coupled with the eviction of residents occupying the former Bong Mines Company housing units now used by the Chinese, the situation was inviting to criminals.
Partial view of China Union housing units. Photo: Zeze Ballah
“Any unscrupulous individual could either drag a child or teenage girl into one of these abandoned housing units with all these grown grass around them and kill or rape them,†Barclay said.
Barclay blamed the LPGS management for the death of the security officers for lacking proper supervision and operating without communication gadgets.
“The question now on the lips of many residents is who will be the next victim,†Barclay said. He claimed that crime is on the rise in the company’s concession areas and needs urgent attention.
“I am calling on the LNP to use all of their expertise to bring the perpetrators of this barbaric act to book,” Barclay said.
Flomo Maxwell, a resident of Galalie Village in the China Union concession area, said words could not express how he feels following the deaths of the security officers.
Flomo Maxwell, resident of Galalie Village in Margi County. Photo: Zeze Ballah
“The recent incident clearly shows that crime is on the increase at the China Union concession areas,” Maxwell noted.
He said the issue of officers being assigned for 72 hours without communication gadgets should be immediately addressed by the LPGS management.
He said some residents are now deciding to relocate for fear of attack from these criminals, noting “they are also not going on their farms for fear since the discovery of the security officers’ bodies.”
Featured photo by Zeze Ballah
