By Seykajipo Amegashie

IPNEWS – BUCHANAN, GRAND BASSA: The lifeless body of an Emergency Response Unit (ERU) Officer of the Liberia National Police (LNP) was discovered during the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 15, 2022, in a community, outside Grand Bassa County’s main city, Buchanan.

The lifeless body of the deceased identified as James Gargo was discovered during the morning hours of Tuesday, November 15, in a pool of blood with head and hands badly crushed.

According to an eyewitness account, the Police Officer identified as James Gargo, was discovered dead in the Kilometer Six Community near New Buchanan. Other accounts referred to the place as Pearchuzohn Community. The officer was reportedly residing in Paynesville City, Montserrado County where he worked with the Liberia National Police. It is reported that he still had his assigned LNP firearm with him.

A 15-man jury established that there was foul played following a thorough search of the victim’s corpse.

A woman, who described the dead officer as her nephew, told newsmen in Buchanan City that the death of James was shocking to the family. “How can somebody who lives on Lovers Street in Paynesville be found dead in Buchanan?” Meanwhile, residents of Buchanan City have expressed fear over the death of the man, who was a member of one of the elite security units in the country.

They told a group of reporters in Grand Bassa County that they feel a sense of insecurity with recent news of attacks in different parts of the county. They are calling on the national government to institute stringent security measures that will ensure the safety of citizenry.

In a related development, the Joint Security in the county immediately moved into the community and launched an investigation to establish the cause of death. As part of their investigation, it was reported that the Joint Security began raiding homes that were suspected of being used by criminals as hideouts to rain havoc on the surrounding communities. Several homes allegedly belonging to disadvantaged youths were demolished and an unspecified number of them were arrested. Up to press time, there is mixed views on the death of the ERU Officer.

Mr. Eddie Williams, County Information Officer posted on his official Facebook page: “The Grand Bassa County Administration headed by Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh regrets the death of an ERU officer in Bassa. The Supt has instructed the Police authority in the county to leave no stone unturned in investigating the death.”

“The administration is calling on citizens and residents in the county to remain calm as it stands committed to thoroughly investigate the matter.”