PHOTO: Some of the victims of last Friday’s armed robbery in Gbarnga
By Mafelah in Bong mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
Amid an upsurge in violent crimes including armed robbery incidents in Liberia’s central Bong County, several citizens of the County say they are increasing living in fear.
A similar spike in criminal activities such as armed robbery has also gripped the Liberian capital, Monrovia in recent times.
Their worried comes the recent Wednesday and Friday September 18-20, 2019 attacks in communities and its dwellers in Gbarnga, Cong County.
Communities hit by the wave of armed robbery include the Lofa Road Community, Brooklyn and Kokoyah Road Communities and victims received cutlass and bullet wounds during the attack.
In interview with www.newspublictrust.com in the County, the victims said that the robber had with them guns, knives, cutlass and other deadly weapons and allegedly broke into their homes and made away with several items and cash.
They explained that the armed robbers threatened to take their lives, if they refused to give them money.
Moreover, one of the victims of one of the recent incidents on Friday, September 21, 2019, Mr. Joseph N. Kollie said the armed robbers made away with $80,000 Liberian Dollars, US$250.00, 3 packs of Lone star scratch card and 1 pack of Oorange scratch card.
“During the attack at least one person was reported dead,” this victim added.
But some locals said the County’s security apparatus need to institute measures to put an immediate end to the alarming wave of criminal activities in Gbarnga and its surroundings.
The citizens want the Liberian government to launch a vigorous security operation aimed at dislodging the criminals from their hideouts.
Many of the citizens and residents whom are women and children said they go to bed as early as 8:00 pm due to the alarming armed robbery in the county, something they stated has brought fear among citizens in the entire city county.
Over the last few Weeks, the wave of armed robbery incidents have increased in Bong County, thus leaving many residents to live in constant fear.
In many instances, residents sustain injuries while attempting to resist the robbers’ demands.