A chilling discovery early Tuesday morning has sent shockwaves through Ganta City as the lifeless body of Papee Dablo, a Guinean national believed to be in his early 40s, was found bound in a plastic bag and tied to his own motorcycle along the road to his house.
The gruesome scene unfolded around dawn on April 8, 2025, reigniting fear among Ganta’s residents, who have been reeling from a spate of violent killings targeting motorcyclists and ordinary citizens in recent months.
The cause of death remains unclear, but speculations are rife that Dablo may have been murdered elsewhere, with his body disposed of near his home in an effort to mislead authorities and the public.
Dablo, who had lived in Ganta since his youth, was married to Linda Flomo and was the father of five daughters. Witnesses say the body was discovered early in the morning by locals, some of whom were left in disbelief, while others wept openly at the disturbing sight.
The City Mayor, Samuel Hardt, swiftly arrived at the scene and condemned the act, ordering the body to be removed and transported to the funeral home.
“I knew this man, and he was a good person,” Mayor Hardt said, expressing shock and sorrow at the brutal event. “We ask the citizens to remain calm and allow the police to conduct a thorough investigation.”
The last known sighting of Dablo occurred on April 7, 2025, when he was seen at the motorcycle parking area opposite the police station, a common gathering spot for motorcyclists seeking passengers. After that, he disappeared, only for his body to be found in the tragic circumstances on Tuesday morning.
One passerby described Dablo as a peaceful man, stating, “He came to Ganta at a young age, and he never caused any trouble.” The local community is demanding justice, with one young man tearfully asserting, “We hope the police bring the perpetrator to book.”
This latest incident follows a series of killings of motorcyclists in Ganta, with reports of stolen motorcycles and increasing violence in the region. In December 2024, a wave of killings along the Ganta-Saclepea Road led to stolen motorcycles being abandoned by alleged perpetrators, prompting the local police to impose restrictions on motorcycle activity during late-night hours.
The murder of 22-year-old Richardson Graimie on March 3, 2025, further highlighted the growing violence in the area. Graimie was found dead under crushed rocks near Jungle Water Factory, and his brother, Alfred Graimie, expressed frustration over the delay in the investigation.
Despite the arrest of three suspects, reports claim that the individuals were released and are now seen going about their normal activities, adding to public concerns over the police’s handling of the case.
This pattern of violence harkens back to a brutal 2015 murder of a motorcyclist in Ganta, which sparked riots and looting across the city. The memory of that tragedy is still fresh in the minds of many residents, further heightening tensions and fear in the wake of the latest killing.
As of now, the police have not provided any updates on whether foul play was confirmed, as a 15-member jury continues its examination of the incident. Authorities have assured the public that the investigation is ongoing, but residents are growing increasingly impatient for answers and justice.
