Published: July 31, 2025
NIMBA COUNTY – A tragic road accident along the Tappita-Saclepea highway has claimed the lives of four people, including a police officer, a rape suspect, a community watch forum member, and a 14-year-old rape victim.
The accident occurred around 4 p.m. on July 30 near Loryee Creek in Electoral District 7, between the towns of Kpaytuo and Loryee, approximately five kilometers from Saclepea.
According to eyewitnesses, the victims were traveling on a single commercial motorcycle from Tappita to Sanniquellie. The deceased include Liberia National Police (LNP) officer Ephrian Bundeh; community watch forum member Junior Walkbeah; 38-year-old rape suspect Larmie Samuo; and the young rape victim. The motorbike operator was reportedly overwhelmed when a struggle broke out between the handcuffed suspect and others aboard the motorcycle, causing the rider to lose control. The bike veered off the road and plunged into a creek.
Witnesses said Samuo, originally from Rivercess County but residing in Nimba, was being transferred for further investigation and potential prosecution. Officer Bundeh and Watch Forum member Walkbeah were reportedly escorting the suspect and the victim to Sanniquellie.
Walkbeah, a community watch forum member based at the Tappita Police Depot, had been assigned to escort criminal suspects via motorbike to various locations, including Sanniquellie. Tragically, Wednesday’s assignment proved fatal.
Nimba County Police Commander ACP Lamine Mendin confirmed the deaths but provided no further details. A team of local health workers dispatched by the LNP Nimba Detachment later confirmed that all four victims died on the spot. Their remains have been taken to a local morgue in Saclepea, pending further arrangements by the police and family members.
The rape victim, confirmed to be 14 years old, would have made the case a statutory rape investigation under Liberia’s revised rape law.
Third Fatal Crash in a Month
Wednesday’s tragedy marks the third fatal motorcycle accident reported along the same road in less than a month. On July 11, a man believed to be in his mid-30s died instantly when he collided with a speeding pickup truck while overtaking another vehicle.
In the second crash, two individuals riding a motorcycle were hit by a truck. One died at the scene, while the other sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized.
With the Tappita-Saclepea highway still undergoing pavement, residents say the series of accidents underscores the urgent need for road safety awareness and better enforcement.
Public Outcry and Government Criticism
The deaths have prompted renewed outrage over the government’s failure to provide adequate logistics to law enforcement. Critics argue that had a police vehicle been available, the victims might still be alive.
Among those speaking out was Daniel Nyankonah, former vice president of the Press Union of Liberia, who identified Officer Bundeh as his cousin. In a Facebook post, Nyankonah expressed deep sorrow and criticized the state of Liberia’s justice system.
“The untimely passing of Ephrian Bundeh has sparked heartfelt shock—not only mourning his loss but also drawing attention to persistent weaknesses in Liberia’s justice system, including the lack of vehicles and basic supplies that continue to undermine the effectiveness of the police force,” he wrote.
Calls are now growing for the central government to prioritize support for both the police and local magisterial courts, especially in rural areas where mobility and timely interventions remain major challenges.
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