A woman in Kwiatuo Juaryen, Dugbe Statutory District, Sinoe County, Liberia has made a complaint of being falsely accused of witchcraft and subsequently attacked by a group of angry locals. The incident, which occurred on December 15, 2023, involved a lady identified as Tutu Girl who accused the victim of being a witchcraft responsible for the illness of her son.
According to the victim, Tutu Girl went on a rampage in the town and rallied up an angry crowd that attacked her and dragged her to the center of the town while scribing her naked. The victim was later rescued by a community police officer identified as Rennie and released on bond to her boyfriend Christopher Broh after he had returned from the gold mining bush in the evening.
Despite denying the accusations, the victim was asked to contribute to the town’s cause of inviting a herbalist to prove the allegations. The victim was too scared to mention the missing items, including her market money of LD$250,000, taken from her room during the attack.
The town chairman, Mr. Abraham Pokar, was informed of the situation and called for an urgent meeting. During the meeting, the victim and Tutu Girl both gave their sides of the story and the chairman suggested that both parties contribute financially to invite a herbalist to prove the allegations.
The victim’s family quickly contacted officials for her rescue and medical treatment after they were asked to make a contribution of LD$50,000 each for the town’s cause. The victim has now made a complaint to the Ministry of Justice and other partners for a speedy trial to serve as a deterrent to others.
The incident highlights the deep-rooted superstitions and beliefs in witchcraft that still exist in some communities in Liberia. The government and community leaders need to take proactive measures to educate people about the causes and management of illnesses and dispel myths surrounding witchcraft to avoid such incidents in the future.
