Monrovia, Liberia - President Ellen Johnson Thursday met with representatives of Zorzor District, residing in Monrovia and Zorzor to address concerns raised by them in a petition.  The residents in their petition, expressed concern that Government’s robust response to incidents in Konia town may overshadow concerns of ritualistic killings in the area. They spoke of three incidents of ritualistic killings of their children which have remained unresolved.
“Our people live in constant fear as the culprits of these crimes roam about in our District with impunity,” the Zorzor residents said in their statement.

The President thanked the group for the peaceful assembly and restraint exercised during their assembly. She informed the representatives that steps are being taken by Government to bring the perpetrators to justice but regretted that the lack of tangle evidence for prosecution is delaying the process. 

The Liberian leader encouraged the people of Zorzor to assist in providing clues that could lead to the speedy apprehension of the culprits.

The Vice President, Ambassador Joseph Boakai has been designated as the President’s point-man on the matter.  The representatives have agreed to present any evidence they could find to the Vice President, who would thereafter, bring the matter to the attention of the Justice Minister for appropriate action.

The President affirmed her attachment to the people of Lofa County, rejecting assertions in their petition that they had been marginalized, owing to the slow pace in apprehending the perpetrators. She reminded them of her commitment to the development of all segments of the country including Zorzor, the only District whose market women have received a donated truck.

More than one hundred inhabitants of Zorzor District, residing in Zorzor and Monrovia staged a peaceful demonstration Thursday to express concern over what they view as the delay in apprehending perpetrators of a string of alleged ritualistic killings in Zorzor, Lofa County.

The statement was signed by paramount and clan chiefs representing clans in Bluyeama, Gizima, and Zieama as well the representatives of women and youth groups.