FLASHBACK: Locals in shock on Tuesday, when they discovered little Batum’s body hanging on a rope
By King Brown, sarwahking@gmail.com
BUCHANAN, Liberia- A 15-member Corner Jury has conducted an examination of the corpse of a boy, age 15 who was found hanging from a rope from the roof of a house, but the result shows there was foul play and not suicide as was initially suspected.
It was reported early this week from Wee Statutory district that the boy identified as Batum Faith Jacob allegedly committed suicide, but circumstances surrounding the situation are unclear.
The incident, which took many residents of the area by surprise, reportedly happened in district #4, Central Wayzohn Community, Grand Bassa County, which is situated over 173 kilometers southeast of Monrovia.
But examination the teenager’s remains by the Coroner Jury has revealed to the Police Criminal Investigation Division in Buchanan that the Jacob’s neck was broken, his anus was tempered with, fluid was taken out of his nose, and penis.
The result of the examination also revealed that blood was also taken out of the deceased body using an injection syringe.
Based upon this result, the Coroner Jury has concluded that there was foul play surrounding the death of the child.
Police in Grand Bassa County say they are conducting in depth investigating the mysterious death of the boy, who is now believed to have been murdered in cold blood by unknown individuals.
During the early morning hours of July 27, 2021 (a day after Liberia’s 174th Independence celebrations), was discovered dead under mysterious circumstances. His lifeless body was seen hanging from a tiny red rope at the back of his mother’s house in Wee Statutory district in Grand Bassa County.
Residents of the area, who could not hold back their tears, expressed deep frustration and concern about what could have possibly caused this child to have destroyed his precious life.
Others said that they were surprised and completely broken down when the corpse of this kid was discovered, as they demand that the Police conduct an immediate and credible investigation into this unfortunate incident to ensure justice for him.
The residents of the area said they were surprised and completely broken down when the corpse of the child was discovered, as they demanded the Police to launch an immediate and credible investigation into this unfortunate incident to ensure justice for him and his grieving families.
Residents of the area have strongly condemned the alleged ritualistic killing in the area and want fellow neighbors to stand up against those involved in such acts by reporting them to the joint security to be apprehended; stating that the death of little Bartum has brought to the total number of four persons who have died under mysterious circumstances in the area.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police in Grand Bassa County has reassured citizens of their commitment to ensuring that all suspects linked will be brought to book.
Locals concerned about series of mysterious deaths
Recently, several local farmers of St. John City, district two, Grand Bassa County pointed out that they are living in total fear because of the ritualistic killing that has allegedly taken over their land.
The residents said in an interview with www.newspublictrust.com that the government needs to find a remedy to the alleged murdered of people in the area because the situation has scared them from going to their various farms to get food.
According to them, the ugly situation is worrisome for them and their families, because most of the towns and villages in the area have less occupants to chase out those who are behind the evil act.
They added that about five dead bodies have been reported in the area and the doers have not been caught.
The farmers said they are tired with the continuous disappearance of people in the area and are therefore demanding the government to order traditional herbalist to conduct Sassywood that would help to uncover the doers.
On August 17, 2020 several citizens of Basawall Town in Grand Bassa County again demanded an immediate investigation into the mysterious death of a 45 year old man identified Jefferson Kpodeh.
According to the aggrieved citizens, about five dead bodies have been reported in the area and the doers always go with impunity but promised that the death of the late Kpodeh will not go sky free.
They said the deceased was allegedly murdered by unknown individuals and his dead body was discovered in Basawall near where the St. John River is.
According to them, the deceased was discovered dead with his head split, hands were broken, mobbed and stabbed many times and thrown into the St. John River to destroy evidence.
They said if government fails to launch an investigation into the matter, they as aggrieved citizens will invite traditional chiefs and elders to find the perpetrators. And they added that if that happens, their next plan will be made know as to whether they will kill them too or take the legal procedures .
Based on their concern, the City Mayor of St. John Mr. James Brook pleaded with the citizens to remained calm as he promised to do a written communication at the time to the County Superintendent, Janjay Baikpeh, Cllr. Samuel Jacob, then head of the joint security, Chief Zanzan Karwor, head of tradition council of Liberia to investigate the matter immediately; because he said it was proven by the fifteen man jury that there were foul play on the deceased body.
He assured the citizens that the way in which the late Kpodeh was allegedly killed it will not remain under covered but rather justice will be served into the matter.
Also a renowned traditional herbalist of Ruben Joe Town, district two, Grand Bassa County called on the government of Liberia to lift the ban that prohibits them from performing sasswood.
Mr. Joe Jerff mentioned that the essence of sasswood is meant to expose bad doers without allowing them to go with impunity.
Mr. Joe Jerff said if the government of Liberia lifts the ban, it would help to reduce the gruesome murder and disappearance of people. He also said that it would help to bring alleged perpetrators to justice and for prosecution in accordance with the rule of law.
According to him, since the government banned sasswood in Liberia , bad doers are depending on that to commit murder because they feel that there is no way to expose their wicked and evil deeds to the public.
Mr. Jerff, who claimed to be a licensed and certified herbalist and have worked with the Ministry of Internal Affairs for more than seven years, noted that if sasswood has not been banned in Liberia, he believes that ritualistic killing and mysterious disappearance of people would not be on the increase.
He maintained that the government should see reason to give traditional chiefs and elders the chance to discover perpetrators who are allegedly linked to the mysteriously death and disappearance of people rather than leaving it under cover without any justice being served into the matter.
He blamed the government for the gruesome murdered and disappearance of people; because, according to him, the government always launching investigation into these cases but failed to take concrete action to punish the alleged doers.
He therefore joined his voice to the many voices calling on the government to permit them to conduct “Sassywood”.