VOINJAMA, LOFA COUNTY – A 17-year-old student of Voinjama Multilateral High School has been sent to court after attempting to hang himself while in police custody. The teenager, identified as Tarnue Kollie, was arrested for allegedly stealing four ducks from a woman in the Selega Road Community.
According to police reports, Kollie used his underwear to attempt suicide while detained at the Voinjama Police Station. Officer Moses Akoi, who was on duty at the time, discovered him hanging and immediately called for assistance. Kollie was quickly rushed to the Telewoyan Memorial Hospital for treatment, where he recovered before being transferred to court.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) in Voinjama said officers had been instructed to check on detainees every five to ten minutes to ensure their safety. It was during one of these routine checks that Officer Akoi found Kollie, an intervention that likely saved his life.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, Kollie admitted to being taken to the police station following a complaint from the woman whose ducks were reportedly stolen. He explained that his actions were driven by frustration, revealing that both of his parents currently live in Guinea. He said he feared being sent to the Voinjama Central Prison with no family support.
Following his recovery, Kollie was sent to court on October 6, where he was formally charged with attempted murder and theft.
The incident has drawn attention to the psychological state of detainees, particularly juveniles, and highlights the need for continued vigilance by police officers in ensuring the safety of individuals in their custody.
