Published: September 12, 2025
WEDABO DISTRICT, Grand Kru County — A 32-year-old woman, identified as Victoria Tarkah, has died after allegedly being tortured by a group of young men who accused her of practicing witchcraft, police confirmed Friday.
According to the Liberia National Police’s Grand Kru County detachment, Tarkah was found dead along the highway about a mile from Jlatwen Town. Authorities said they were alerted by General Town Chief Allison Bloh, who reported that Tarkah’s unconscious body had been discovered outside the town.
Reports indicate several men carried out the torture and were initially apprehended by the Community Watch Forum. However, they later escaped under unclear circumstances, raising suspicions among residents that the Watch Forum may have facilitated their flight. Police identified the suspects as Abednego Dweh, Boniface Nyengar and Bernord Kuoh, who remain at large.
When police led by Inspector Brownstone Hne arrived at the scene, none of the suspects were present. The town chief allegedly provided little information, and residents declined to cooperate with the investigation.
Authorities said Tarkah’s body was later discovered hidden in a bush behind the town. Her mother, Sophia Klah, told police that on the night of Sept. 7, a group of young men broke into their home and demanded that she surrender her daughter, accusing her of witchcraft. Fearing for her safety, she complied but was able to identify only one of the intruders, Bernord Kuoh.
A 15-member coroner’s jury and a medical examiner determined that Tarkah had been poisoned, ruling her death a homicide.
Police have since turned over her remains to the family for burial while pursuing further investigation. They have sought permission from the county superintendent to question local leaders, including Town Chief Bloh and Paramount Chief Jeh Simbo, as well as Watch Forum members Anthony Dahn, Bernard Jeh and Jackson Nyonoon.
Regina Walker, Grand Kru’s Ministry of Gender coordinator, condemned the killing and called for swift justice. “Such violence against women and children is unacceptable,” she said, urging community and government leaders to work together to end abuses linked to witchcraft accusations.
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