MONROVIA, Montserrado – The relatives of Alvin Moses and Ruben Paye, the children who were found dead in a vehicle last week, have accused the police of torture and unjust incarceration.

Last week, seven-year-old Alvin and four-year-old Ruben were found dead in a vehicle parked inside the compound of a Nigerian man, currently identified only as “O-Jay,” at the VOA community of the Roberts International Airport highway.

The children were discovered after they had gone missing for several hours. As a result, the event drew an angry crowd that allegedly set ablaze the house and vehicle of “O-Jay.”

Vehicle set ablaze by angry residents. Photo: Festus Taylor

Following those actions, Alvin’s parents accused the police of detaining them and then directing them “to lie down” before walking over them.

Marconi Moses, Alvin’s mother, described her ordeal as an injustice and wondered why the distressed had to suffer physical torture while the alleged suspect is at large.

“O-Jay is walking freely, but our people are suffering in jail,” she said.

Victor Moses, Alvin’s father, said the father and grandfather of Ruben were still in custody, something he described as a double jeopardy for the families involved.

Armstrong Garpue, a relative of Ruben, told The Bush Chicken that a senior officer of the Liberia National Police had informed them that their relatives are in custody for refusing to identify those who allegedly burnt the house and vehicle owned by “O-Jay.”

House set ablaze by angry residents. Photo: Festus Taylor

In another development, some of those arrested by the police in connection to the violence have accused the police of demanding money for their release.

Jenkins McIntosh said he was asked to pay US$100 dollars for his release after spending three days in police custody.

Jerry Jefferson, a brother of one of those arrested, told the Liberia Women Democracy Radio via phone interview that his brother is still in jail because he refused to pay for his release.

Meanwhile, Satta Sheriff, the Speaker of the Liberia Children Parliament, has condemned the murder of the two children. She said the gruesome death of the innocent children was terrifying and encouraged the government to speed up the investigation.

“We feel very sad about the murder of the two children in the VOA community,” she noted. Sheriff said the Children Parliament would give an official position on the matter soon.

In the meantime, she is calling on relatives and sympathizers of the two children to remain peaceful and follow the legal process.

Police Spokesperson Sam Collins has remained tightlipped on the matter. He said he will comment when the investigation is over.

Featured photo of Marconi Moses by Gbatemah Senah