Group Of Suspected Zogos Mob LDEA Officer To Death In Caldwell
By staff writer
July 23, 2025
Monrovia: A group of suspected drug users (zogos) have brutally mobbed an officer of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency to death in Caldwell, Benson street.
Officer Emmanuel Payne lifeless body was discovered on the evening of Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Police Preliminary investigation has indicated that officer Payne was mobbed to death by a group of suspected Zogos while on his way home from work.
According to eyewitness accounts, Officer Payne had gone to visit a friend from the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) for visit where a confrontation reportedly broke out involving Zogos and drug dealers. Officer Payne attempted to intervene in the situation and fired a warning shot into the air to deescalate the tensions but unfortunately, his action angered the crowd which later grew into a bigger size and turned hostile.
eyewitness accounts also in dedicated that in an attempt to flee, Officer Payne was allegedly chased, and accused of being a motorcycle thief (motorbike rogue), which to him being violently attacked and killed in his uniform.
Community members further allege that Officer Payne had recently arrested a well-known drug dealer in the area which community members think could be a possible retaliation.
According to a statement issued by the LDEA, upon receiving the alert, the Deputy Director General for Operations, Hon. Sabastine Farr, and a team of LDEA officers responded swiftly and rush Officer Payne to John F.Kennedy Medical Center where he confirmed dead upon arrival.
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency has condemned the senseless and heinous act of violence saying “We are working in close collaboration with the Liberia National Police and other sister security agencies to thoroughly investigate this matter and we will assure the public that those responsible will be identified, arrested, and brought to justice without delay.
The institution has extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Emmanuel Payne noting that his bravery, commitment, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
