As persistent murders continue unabated in the midst of the Liberia National Police’s denial of alleged ritualistic killings, Monrovia is gradually taking on the characteristics of the Death Camps, which were used during World War II to carry out systematic killings and mass executions.
October 2020 saw the death of four auditors of various government institutions, including the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Internal Audit Agency (IAA). The murders came in sequence. In 2021, the murders began early with low profile individuals. However, by September the murders shifted to the elite, this time targeting the children of two former Presidents and an officer of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS).
On September 22, 2021, John Hilary Tubman, the son of former President William V.S. Tubman, was murdered at his home, with neighbors alleging that the doers are no strangers to the house, as they used the secret passage into the house to enter and accomplish their mission.
Since the murder of Tubman in September, it was on November 4, 2021 that the Liberia National Police (LNP), through a Ministry of Justice press release, named Christian Byron Anderson and William V.S. Anderson (alias Baby Shad) as persons of interest in the investigation of the murder.
On Sunday, October 31, 2021, Maude Elliot, an officer of the Personnel Department of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) was found in a pool of blood at her Brewerville residence and taken to the JFK Medical Hospital, but pronounced dead.
The next day, November 1, 2021, William R. Tolbert, III, the last son of former President William R. Tolbert, Jr., was also found dead, with bruises on the head, neck and arm.
An investigation being conducted by the Hot Pepper reveals that preliminary autopsy conducted by the LNP suggests that the death of Tolbert III was not by natural causes but homicide, and it was up to the Ministry of Justice to go ahead and make an official statement on behalf of the government.
A source informed the Hot Pepper that the LNP findings into the death of Tolbert III is that “the findings now is that Rev. William R. Tolbert, III was murdered. Body examination was done at Striker Funeral Parlor and shows four stab wounds on the right side of the head and two on the left side of the head at least four inches or more; one deep stab on the right shoulder/arm and a deep stab wound on the left side of the neck; and five stab wounds on the back of the neck, bruises on the top of both eyes and eyebrows”.
After the examination of only the head and parts adjacent, the head of the forensic team pronounced that the deceased was murdered, and that there was no need to proceed further with the autopsy.
According to the investigation, the forensic team is expected to submit their report and findings to the Ministry of Justice, which will then advice them on the next course of action.
The Hot Pepper’s investigation was informed that the Tolbert family was represented during the autopsy, along with the LNP, which was represented by an officer who goes by his call sign, “Stinger”.
It is said that the police has picked up individuals of interest, but they are not yet suspected of any wrongdoing.
These three murders, which are prominent among the murders that occurred in this year, bring to question the vigilance of the security forces, especially the Liberia National Police (LNP), which is clothed with the responsibility of protecting life and property.
Prominent Liberians in and outside Liberia are registering their disapproval in the way the security sector is conducting its operations. The former Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai, has called on the government to launch a speedy investigation in these alleged murders and bring the perpetrators to book.
Former VP Boakai said, “It is very troubling that mysterious deaths have become the new normal in Liberia. Our people fear for their lives, and the justice system is failing them. At this point, the government should be prioritizing security, as this is one of the most important duty it has to Liberians and those domiciled here.
“We cannot continue to nurture the spirit of impunity in this country while the people cry out for help. The government must not renege on its responsibility to provide security to the citizenry. Citizens cannot be expected to provide their own security—they do not have the ability to do so.”