By: Naneka A. Hoffman
Monrovia, August 8, 2025: Relations of the late Liberia Medication Enforcement Company (LDEA) officer, Emmanuel Payne, have protested in Caldwell, Montserrado County, demanding justice for his brutal homicide by suspected drug addicts and criminals.
Talking on Thursday, August 7, the protestors accused the federal government, notably the LDEA, of doing little to research the killing of Officer Payne, who was reportedly attacked and murdered on July 22, 2025, within the Township of Caldwell.
Marcus Payne, elder brother of the deceased, mentioned the household won’t relaxation till justice is served.
“This case is inflicting us critical embarrassment. The federal government retains asking us to supply details about how our brother, son, and uncle was murdered, as a substitute of conducting an intensive investigation”, he mentioned.
Based on him, the household has determined to not bury the late Emmanuel Payne till the federal government takes significant steps towards justice.
“That is unlucky for the federal government to be asking us for info when it’s their obligation to research,” Marcus emphasised.
Talking in tears, Martha Payne, grieving mom of the deceased, described her son as each a supplier and protector.
“Since my son died on July 22, 2025, not a single senior official has come to talk with me,” she lamented. “This silence hurts me deeply every single day.”
Mrs. Payne introduced that the household’s subsequent spherical of protest will probably be on the LDEA Headquarters and the U.S. Embassy close to Monrovia, in hope that their cries for justice will probably be heard.
She revealed that her son had as soon as dropped out of the LDEA through the Weah Administration and turned to industrial motorcycling to outlive however was re-enlisted into the LDEA earlier this 12 months.
Based on official studies, the incident occurred round 6:00 PM on July 22, alongside Benson Road in Caldwell. Officer Payne, who was assigned to the LDEA’s New Kru City Element, was reportedly off obligation and visiting a good friend from the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) when he seen a person appearing suspiciously and carrying a black plastic bag towards a recognized ghetto.
Counting on his instincts and coaching, he tried to arrest the suspect.
Nonetheless, the state of affairs escalated when the suspect reportedly referred to as for reinforcement from close by gang members.
“Within the line of obligation, and as a skilled drug enforcement officer, Officer Payne took motion to intercept a suspected drug trafficker. In doing so, he was violently attacked by a rising mob,” the LDEA said in a press launch.
Witnesses mentioned he fired two warning pictures in an try and disperse the gang. Regardless of figuring out himself and carrying a uniform, he was falsely accused of being a bike thief, a harmful accusation usually used to incite mob violence.
Residents alleged that the assault was orchestrated by one Franklin B. Feawoe, alias “Black Bottle”, a infamous drug kingpin in Caldwell.
However the Payne household believes the killing was a deliberate setup to silence a dedicated drug enforcement officer. They proceed to name on the Liberian authorities and worldwide companions to make sure that justice is served. Modifying by Jonathan Browne
