Published: October 17, 2025
KAKATA, Margibi County — The Liberia National Police (LNP) has launched an investigation into a mob violence incident that resulted in the death of a young man identified as Joseph Kabbah, believed to be in his 20s.
The incident occurred Wednesday, Oct. 15, around after period in the Cooper Farm Community along the Kakata–Monrovia Highway in Montserrado County.
According to police authorities, 10 persons of interest have been invited for questioning in connection with the killing, and 19 motorcycles allegedly used during the pursuit and attack have been impounded. The LNP said all suspects were informed of their constitutional rights, which they voluntarily waived before providing statements to investigators.
Preliminary findings suggest the violence may have stemmed from a motorcycle theft case reported earlier this year. One of the key persons of interest, Morris Sackie, 25, of Sackie Gbormo Town in Kakata, told investigators that on Sept. 7, 2025, he was robbed at gunpoint of a Bajaj motorcycle by two unidentified men near Holder Farm Community. Sackie said the motorcycle was assigned to him by his employer, Buster McGill, for personal and family use.
Sackie recounted that on Oct. 15, at about 11:45 a.m., he spotted the same individuals riding the stolen motorcycle along Bong Mines Road. He said he alerted fellow motorcyclists and identified the riders as the alleged thieves.
The group reportedly began chasing the suspects toward Monrovia. During the pursuit, Sackie said his motorcycle ran out of fuel, forcing him to stop. He later learned that other riders had caught up with the suspects, retrieved the stolen bike, and taken it to McGill’s residence in Sackie Gbormo Town.
McGill, 44, confirmed to police that he had purchased the motorcycle on Sept. 3, 2025, and given it to Sackie for daily transportation. He said Sackie informed him that the stolen motorcycle had been recovered. Upon arriving home, McGill said he saw several motorcyclists with the recovered motorcycle, who told him they had retrieved it after killing one of the alleged thieves.
Fearing the situation could escalate, McGill said he immediately contacted Inspector Momboe Seah, a Community Service Officer. Seah and a team of officers arrived and arrested all those present, including McGill and Sackie, for questioning.
Police later detained seven additional motorcyclists found at McGill’s residence. All have denied direct involvement in Kabbah’s killing, claiming they only assisted in recovering the motorcycle.
Investigators continue to interrogate the suspects to determine their individual roles. The LNP condemned the act, describing mob justice as a serious crime under Liberian law. Police officials warned that those involved will face prosecution and urged communities to report suspected criminals rather than taking the law into their own hands. “This is a tragic reminder that mob justice undermines the rule of law,” an LNP spokesperson said. “No one has the right to take another person’s life, regardless of the accusation.”
This latest case follows a similar mob killing in Johnsonville Township, outside Monrovia, where residents last week reportedly beat to death another man accused of stealing a motorcycle. Public outcry over the rising number of mob justice cases has intensified, with many Liberians calling the trend alarming and urging stronger police presence and civic education to curb community-led violence.
Authorities have assured the public that the investigation will be conducted thoroughly to ensure justice for the victim and accountability for those responsible.
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