Liberia: Town in Grand Bassa Set Ablaze over Missing Man
Homes and other structures in Malakor Town, District #1, Grand Bassa County, were set ablaze by an angry mob demanding the living body of their missing relative. (Photo credit: Christmas Kennedy)
Angry protesters in District One, Grand Bassa County, have set ablaze Malakor Town in demand of a 21-year-old man, identified as Blama Chea, who has mysteriously disappeared from the town.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, after families observed that their relative, Blama Chea, who had gone fishing, mysteriously disappeared from the bank of the river.
“My brother and I woke up and decided to go fishing by 6:00 a.m. but, while I was getting in the canoe, I saw the water shaking behind me,” said Maron Chea, brother of the missing man.
“Before I could look behind, I discovered that my brother, who was holding the canoe for me to get in it, had gone missing, and I couldn’t see him around.”
Maron mentioned that he immediately ran into town to inform others about what happened, something he said shocked him.
“After I told the people, everyone joined me for us to search around in the bushes and along the river banks since 6:00 this morning, and we are yet to see him.”
During the afternoon hours of Tuesday, angry friends and relatives stormed Malakor Town and immediately set the entire town on fire.
Eyewitnesses told reporters that the angry mob have also threatened to set all surrounding towns and villages ablaze if the living body of Blama Chea is not seen before midnight.
The angry mob burned several kitchens and homes belonging to residents of Malakor Town.
The Crime Services Division of the Liberia National Police Grand Bassa detachment has immediately made an intervention.
However, investigation into the matter has commenced as the search for Blama Chea continues.