PHOTO: Justin Zigbuo, the arrested arm carrier
Liberia National Police says a man identified as Justin Zigbuo has been arrested during the Cummings CPP rally over the weekend for illegal possession of firearm.
Zigbuo is said to be the personal bodyguard of opposition Collaborating Political Parties Standard Bearer, Alexander Cummings.
Illegal possession of firearms is a violation of the law against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in this West African county.
According to the police, Justin Zigbuo being investigated at the Liberia National Police Headquarters in Monrovia.
In a post featured on the LNP Facebook page, the police said the arrest was made during the afternoon hours of Saturday, December 17, 2022, in Paynesville before the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium, where supporters and sympathizers of the Collaborating Political Party (CPP) had gathered to observe its rally dubbed, “We Tiya Suffering”.
Suspect Zigbuo is currently detained at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police undergoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police has lauded the leadership of the CPP and its supporters for organizing themselves in a peaceful manner and accepting to coordinate with the LNP for a successful rally.
It is yet to be established why suspect Zigbuo took an arm at the rally that was intended to be peaceful and how was the firearm was discovered.
Before the rally at a joint CPP-LNP press conference held at the Liberia National Police (LNP) headquarters in Monrovia on Thursday, 15 December, organizers against suffering in Liberia and police authorities agreed to work together and committed to peaceful conduct during the assembly due 17 December 2022.
The LNP and the rally organizers pledged during the press conference to provide a corridor of protection for the CPP and all Liberians.
The joint press conference was graced by top supporters of Cummings’ presidential bid Amb. Lewis G. Brown, Dr. Toga Mclntosh, CPP official Martin Kollah, and Police Inspector General Col. Patrick T. Sudue.
During the press conference, Col. Sudue urged the rally organizers to spread a message of peace during the pending opposition rally.
On the other hand, Col. Sudue assured the public that the police will exercise their duty in a professional and democratic manner.
The police chief explained that the LNP will ensure that the rally is peaceful enough to avoid chaos. Sudue assured that the rights and aspirations of every citizen will be protected during the rally.
He said the police did so during previous protests, including the ‘June 7,’ and ‘Save The State,’ and others.
Sudue noted that the LNP has had an orientation of democratic policing.
“We have had an orientation of democratic policing. Democratic policing is where you are constrained to provide care and protection for your citizens to ensure their rights and aspirations are protected,” IG Sudue explained.
He at the same time called the organizers and supporters of the CPP Rally to remain cordial and abide by the rules of law. He urged them not to cause commotion and embarrassment for other peaceful citizens during the day of the rally.
During the rally, the LNP shared snacks, water and soft drinks to attendees of the rally which is aimed at building its democratic Policing profile.
For his part, IG Sudue pledged to continue his democratic Policing footprint in consolidating the confidence of the citizenry in the Liberia National Police as a “People-centered Police”. writes Morrison O. G. Sayon