- Residents of the north-eastern Liberian city of Ganta have been living with
fears imposed on them by a cultish group that had dropped leaflets,
demanding the city authority to choose between producing 16 human heads as
sacrifice to their gods or face the wrath.
The cultish group described itself as the Federation of Neck Babbers.
The Mayor of Ganta was afraid to the teeth but was quick to share the news
with reporters. He said the group claimed to have been in Ganta for a week
with 523 members. They are reportedly targeting Ganta, Monrovia, Gbanga,
Kakata, Zwedru and Harper cities.
The group indicated in their dropped leaflet at the door of the Ganta
Mayor's office that they would not compromise on their demand, for they
would use the human heads for the 160th celebrations of Liberia's
independence on 26 July.
Dated 23 June and signed by Chief Osei Kwame, Eyes of the Gods, Apostle Dr.
Bob Timothy, Secretary of Liberia chapter and attested by Chief Owari Batua,
Advisor, the leaflet is under the possession of the Liberian authorities.
A called Eleven Brothers committed similar crimes in Zwedru, resulting to
the killing of several people. Most of the bodies were found with missing
parts.
But the new group set aside 30 June as the date when its demands must be
met.
Consequently, the group asked the city officials to pay a ransom of US $650
if they cannot provide the human heads. The group said it would use the
money as food for the boys.
The group's claim that nobody should run to the police for help because 20 of their members are in the Liberian National Police force has added fears among Liberians.
As a result, 20 churches observed a day of fasting and prayer, asking God to
protect the people from the wrath of the cultish group.
The head of the prayer meeting, Rev. John Tokpah said, "We are not taking
this threat lightly. We know what happened in 2003 when the fighters used to
say Ganta is pregnant and it came to pass when the rebel of LURD marched
into Ganta with no resistance."
However, Liberian security has also taken the issue with seriousness. It has
intensified patrol and community policing in Ganta and other targeted
cities.
Liberia had gone through 14 years of civil war, which caused untold
destruction to property and human life. With the return of peace and
democracy in the country, most Liberians see the need to guard peace and
stability before it eludes from them.
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