By Archie Boan
What was meant to be a routine anti-power theft operation at the Nezoe Junction Community on Friday spiraled into chaos and left one officer of the Liberia Electricity Corporation’s Anti-Power Theft Taskforce (APT) brutally wounded…
According to one of the APT team members, two bypassed meters were uncovered at a local compound during their regular inspection. The female occupant admitted that they had resorted to illegal connections after their meters were allegedly stolen while awaiting replacements.
Taskforce Supervisor J. Lampard Wah, in keeping with his duty, informed the occupant that the illegal connections constituted theft of electricity. As the team disconnected the wires, the situation took a dangerous turn.
The occupant believed to be the wife of a man later identified as Ansu Kromah in his 50s, who claimed to be an officer of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA). However, police sources later confirmed that Kromah is no officer, but an aide position he regularly served to his believed relative Abraham Kromah, ex-Police 102, and ex-LDEA deputy chief.
When Ansu Kromah arrived, he alongside his brother and son, launched a violent resistance against the APT team. What began as a heated exchange quickly escalated when Ansu Kromah landed a heavy fist blow on Supervisor Wah. In the scuffle, APT team members spotted what appeared to be a firearm on Kromah’s waist, forcing them to retreat while calling for backup.
The violence did not stop there. Before backup could arrive, Ansu Kromah and others pressed on with the attack, desperately trying to retrieve the wire and striking Supervisor Wah on the head with a sharp object believed to be a cutlass, according to one of the APT team members. Blood gushed from Wah’s head as he staggered in pain, leaving community residents horrified and in shock..
Witnesses rushed to his aid as he grew weak from the deep wound.
Wah was immediately taken for urgent medical treatment and remains under care, while police investigators continue their probe. Ansu Kromah speaking with IPAD team member and the LEC legal staff at the Police headquarters, begged for mercy and that he is sorry. In the meantime, suspect Ansu Kromah has been detained and spending his first night in police custody at LNP Headquarters.
Police have confirmed that this is now a joint investigation into power theft and assault, describing the incident as both “serious and disturbing.”
Wah has not yet rendered a full statement, as police authority closed to the investigation, Unit R-19 has instructed that he remain under medical supervision until such time he is deemed fit to undergo questioning.
Sources have confirmed that the Nezoe Junction community remains gripped with shock over the actions of Ansu Kromah, as one of the frontline fighters against electricity theft now lies wounded.
Warning: Photos are disturbing and viewer discretion is advised.
