MONROVIA, August 13 (LINA) -The Liberia National Police has dispelled rumors about the poisoning of wells and other water sources, indicating that there is no evidence to support the claim.
In recent times, news about people poisoning water sources have engulfed especially Montserrado and Margibi counties, with allegation that paid agents were carrying out the act.
The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, C. Clarence Massaquoi, told a press conference Tuesday that in the wake of the prevailing Ebola disease, this latest development has created panic among Liberians, in some instances leading to mob violence.
He said on August 3 an individual identified as Mr. Edwin Dagbe, aged 27, was rescued by personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and subsequently turned over to the LNP on suspicion of poisoning and contaminating wells in Kpor Town.
Community dwellers in Margibi County alleged that Mr. Dagbe had in his possession one noise mask, a pair of hand gloves and one spring.
Director Massaquoi, said due to the large crowd that had gathered at the Kpor Town Police Depot, suspect Dagbe was immediately transferred to the Roberts International Airport Police Detail for safety.
According to him, water samples collected from the well for test, while the well was ordered shut down pending the outcome of the analysis.
He said because of the importance the LNP attached to this grave allegation, the sample of the water was immediately sent to the National Standard Laboratory and the LNP Forensic Unit for testing.
“We want to report that this test result from the Laboratory revealed that water from the well contained lower concentration of Aldehyde which is Formaldehyde,” Director Massaquoi noted.
He said as a result, LNP Forensic Unit considers the test as being inconclusive in that it lacked information on the percentage of concentration of Formaldehyde which would render the water either contaminated (Poisoned ) or not.
Director Massaquoi, pointed out that the test result also indicated that all water has its own chemical substances which were not mentioned, stressing that the test result also mentioned a low concentration of aldehyde thereby rendering the water non-lethal and harmless for human consumption.
“Hence, the Police does not have sufficient evidence to support the suspicion of the community dwellers that Mr. Dagbe attempted to poison or contaminate their well," he concluded.
By: Robert Dixon
LINA RD/TSS/PTK