Monrovia – A disturbing video circulating on social media shows several men, including minors, being brutally tortured in Sinoe County after being accused of witchcraft and blamed for the deaths of a woman and her two children. One of the victims reportedly died six days later.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
FrontPageAfrica has gathered that the incident occurred on May 21, 2025, in Gbeyanbe, Sanquin Statutory District, Electoral District #3, which is represented by Representative Alex Noah. Shockingly, more than a month and a half has passed, and no arrests have been made. Police say they are investigating, but there has been no update. The Ministry of Internal Affairs said it was unaware of the incident until contacted by FrontPageAfrica but promised to respond “soon.”
In the graphic video, about seven males, including minors, are seen stripped naked, beaten with cutlasses and sticks, and forced to carry the bodies of the deceased to their graves in what appears to be a coconut plantation. The men are also 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 informed of the incident on June 25 by the County Attorney after the video went viral. He said he visited the area with security 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 said the deceased woman and her two children were family members of Malachi Teah, one of the torture victims who later died. Teah had reportedly escorted his family from Gbeyanbe to catch a vehicle to Monrovia. After returning home, news emerged that his wife and children had drowned near Rossville in Rivercess County.
According to Solomon, during his investigation, Dickson N. Wleh, the Paramount Chief of Karbor Chiefdom admitted that Teah had “confessed” that he and six others, killed his wife and children through witchcraft. However, before any formal action could be taken, an angry mob attacked and tortured the accused and his alleged accomplices.
“We went to Gbeyanbe and met the Paramount Chief of Karbor Chiefdom, who said that the late Malachi Teah confessed that he and six other persons killed his wife and two children. He said while questioning Malachi, the angry crowd came and start to torture them. I asked him to identify the perpetrators but he said he can’t recognize anyone,” Solomon explained.
According to Solomon, when he asked the chief to identify the perpetrators, he claimed he could not recognize anyone. Solomon said he considered arresting the chief but refrained for safety reasons, noting the chief was the only one capable of ferrying his team across a river that takes 45 minutes to cross. Instead, he suspended the chief and said the man agreed to report to authorities on Wednesday (today).
Paramount Chief Wleh reportedly gave no account of the other survivors. The Paramount Chief, despite allegedly ordering the torture, has not been arrested.
When contacted, Peter Wleh Nyensuah , the Superintendent of Sinoe County,said he was in a meeting and would respond afterward. At the time of publication, he had not responded.
County Legislative Caucus Yet to Respond
In Monrovia, Cecelia G. Clarke, Deputy Commissioner for Press and Public Affairs, confirmed that the Liberian National Police became aware of the incident through the viral video and had launched an investigation. However, she did not provide details on its progress or whether any arrests had been made.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs said it is looking into the matter and will respond at an “appropriate time.”
Meanwhile, FPA has learned that the Sinoe County Legislative Caucus is yet to issue any public statement or visit the area. Efforts to get an official response were 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).
Local officials say Gbeyanbe is among the most remote parts of Sinoe County. During the rainy season, the area is often cut off due to flooding rivers and creeks.
A world of Superstition
Sinoe, one of Liberia’s founding counties, is predominantly inhabited by the Kru ethnic group. As in many rural parts of the country, belief in witchcraft and superstition remains widespread. Practices such as trial by ordeal—including the dangerous and illegal Sassywood—are still carried out despite being officially banned by the Liberian government.
In a similar 2021 case, a man in Sinoe County was subjected to Sassywood after being accused of witchcraft. That incident, also captured in a viral video, showed two men in rain boots torturing him as he cried out for help. He was stripped naked and beaten with canes and leaves while being taunted to confess.
In that case, the government eventually arrested several individuals connected to the torture.
