Nimba County – The discovery of 22-year-old Jackson Roland’s death in District #8 has caused tension in the city of Ganta. Angry motorcycle riders blocked the main routes and threatened to set fire to the local police station. Roland’s body was found close to the CMC Junction in District #8, based on information and eyewitnesses compiled. Numerous motorcycle riders protested by staging protests and blocking important roads, such as the Sanniquellie highway, the Ganta-Bong County road, and the Ganta-Saclepea road.
Traffic to and from Monrovia, Saclepea, Sanniquellie, and even nearby Guinea and Ivory Coast was hampered by the blockade. Currently detained at a Bong County police prison are the two individuals suspected of killing Roland. While holding signs calling for justice and chanting catchphrases, motorcycle riders brought Roland’s body from the Ganta United Methodist Hospital to the neighborhood police station, starting the protest in a nonviolent manner.
When the body was turned over to the police, however, tensions increased. When some motorcycle riders became upset and began throwing stones at police, police used tear gas to scatter the angry crowd. The use of tear gas by the police had an impact on local citizens, notably business owners. Some locals fled to nearby villages in fear of fresh clashes, and several shops were forced to close.
According to reports, local authorities like Nimba County Police Commander Larmie Mendin, District #1 Representative Samuel Brown, and Ganta City Mayor Samuel Saye Hardt stepped in and advised the motorcycle riders to maintain their composure and seek justice amicably.
