Monrovia – A disturbing video circulating on social media exhibits a number of males, together with minors, being brutally tortured in Sinoe County after being accused of witchcraft and blamed for the deaths of a girl and her two youngsters. One of many victims reportedly died six days later.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
FrontPageAfrica has gathered that the incident occurred on Might 21, 2025, in Gbeyanbe, Sanquin Statutory District, Electoral District #3, which is represented by Consultant Alex Noah. Shockingly, greater than a month and a half has handed, and no arrests have been made. Police say they’re investigating, however there was no replace. The Ministry of Inner Affairs stated it was unaware of the incident till contacted by FrontPageAfrica however promised to reply “quickly.”
Within the graphic video, about seven males, together with minors, are seen stripped bare, crushed with cutlasses and sticks, and compelled to hold the our bodies of the deceased to their graves in what seems to be a coconut plantation. The boys are additionally struck with coconuts and rocks by a mob accusing them of being witches.
Augustus P. Solomon, Superintendent of Sanquin Statutory District, confirmed to FPA that he was knowledgeable of the incident on June 25 by the County Legal professional after the video went viral. He stated he visited the world with safety personnel on July 1 for a fact-finding mission and submitted his findings to his superior, County Superintendent Peter Wleh Nyensuah, on July 3.
Superintendent Solomon stated the deceased girl and her two youngsters have been relations of Malachi Teah, one of many torture victims who later died. Teah had reportedly escorted his household from Gbeyanbe to catch a car to Monrovia. After returning residence, information emerged that his spouse and kids had drowned close to Rossville in Rivercess County.
In keeping with Solomon, throughout his investigation, Dickson N. Wleh, the Paramount Chief of Karbor Chiefdom admitted that Teah had “confessed” that he and 6 others, killed his spouse and kids by way of witchcraft. Nevertheless, earlier than any formal motion may very well be taken, an offended mob attacked and tortured the accused and his alleged accomplices.
“We went to Gbeyanbe and met the Paramount Chief of Karbor Chiefdom, who stated that the late Malachi Teah confessed that he and 6 different individuals killed his spouse and two youngsters. He stated whereas questioning Malachi, the offended crowd got here and begin to torture them. I requested him to determine the perpetrators however he stated he can’t acknowledge anybody,” Solomon defined.
In keeping with Solomon, when he requested the chief to determine the perpetrators, he claimed he couldn’t acknowledge anybody. Solomon stated he thought of arresting the chief however refrained for security causes, noting the chief was the one one able to ferrying his staff throughout a river that takes 45 minutes to cross. As a substitute, he suspended the chief and stated the person agreed to report back to authorities on Wednesday (at the moment).
Paramount Chief Wleh reportedly gave no account of the opposite survivors. The Paramount Chief, regardless of allegedly ordering the torture, has not been arrested.
When contacted, Peter Wleh Nyensuah , the Superintendent of Sinoe County,stated he was in a gathering and would reply afterward. On the time of publication, he had not responded.
County Legislative Caucus But to Reply
In Monrovia, Cecelia G. Clarke, Deputy Commissioner for Press and Public Affairs, confirmed that the Liberian Nationwide Police turned conscious of the incident by way of the viral video and had launched an investigation. Nevertheless, she didn’t present particulars on its progress or whether or not any arrests had been made.
The Ministry of Inner Affairs stated it’s wanting into the matter and can reply at an “acceptable time.”
In the meantime, FPA has realized that the Sinoe County Legislative Caucus is but to difficulty any public assertion or go to the world. Efforts to get an official response have been unsuccessful. The caucus is comprised of Senators Augustine S. Chea and Crayton O. Duncan, and Representatives Thomas Romeo Quioh (District #1), Samson Q. Wiah (District #2), and Alex Noah (District #3).
Native officers say Gbeyanbe is among the many most distant elements of Sinoe County. In the course of the wet season, the world is commonly lower off because of flooding rivers and creeks.
A world of Superstition
Sinoe, one in all Liberia’s founding counties, is predominantly inhabited by the Kru ethnic group. As in lots of rural elements of the nation, perception in witchcraft and superstition stays widespread. Practices resembling trial by ordeal—together with the damaging and unlawful Sassywood—are nonetheless carried out regardless of being formally banned by the Liberian authorities.
In an identical 2021 case, a person in Sinoe County was subjected to Sassywood after being accused of witchcraft. That incident, additionally captured in a viral video, confirmed two males in rain boots torturing him as he cried out for assist. He was stripped bare and crushed with canes and leaves whereas being taunted to admit.
In that case, the federal government ultimately arrested a number of people linked to the torture.
