By Thomas Domah, Nimba county
What was meant as a pre-victory celebration by two supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) in Nimba County, turned bloody on Friday, 17 November when individuals believed to be supporters of the Unity Party allegedly wasted acid water in the eyes of the celebrants, damaging their visual ability.
Police in Karnplay, Nimba County have arrested three men believed to be UP supporters for allegedly wasting acid water in the eyes of the two CDC supporters.
The incident occurred in Gbeh Manbor, electoral district#3 in Gbeh – lay – Gweh Administrative District of Nimba, after the National Elections Commission announced consolidated results of the presidential runoff election.
The two victims, Prince Lounpea, 26, and 18-year-old Junior Monluo, both residents of Gbeh Manbor Town, were seen celebrating in the town when Suspects Festus Monsor, 35, and Sundayboy Young, currently on the run, alongside Radio Karn Voice of Peace News Director, OldPa Lamah, allegedly committed the act.
The NEW DAWN gathered that since the National Elections Commissions announced start of campaign activities for the 2023 Presidential and General Elections across the country, there have been several electoral violence cases recorded in Nimba, mainly in electoral district#3.
Weeks ago, Senator-Elect, Prince Yormie Johnson and Vice President-Elect, Senator Jeremiah Koung narrowly escaped an attack in Zor Zualay Town along the Sanniquellie – Karnplay highway in District #3 following an alleged order from a defeated senatorial candidate Anthony Quiwonkpa.
Several victims of that attack were hospitalized in Ganta, but the two Senators narrowly escaped the scene, according to report.
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One of the victims, who was attacked and his vehicle destroyed, Nelsco Alco Wolo, narrates that prior to the attack, Anthony Quiwonkpa, son of the late General Thomas G. Quiwonkpa, texted Senator Prince Johnson, threatening him along with the UP Vice Standard Bearer Jeremiah Koung, not to enter Zor town to campaign.
According to Wolo, they ignored the text message containing alleged threats from Anthony Quiwonkpa and headed for Karnplay when they encountered huge armed men, who attacked them in Zor Zualay Town.
Wolo, a former staff of the National Security Agency (NSA) continues that when they entered the town, young men, including the District#3 defeated representative candidate Anthony Quiwonkpa, moved on them with short and long-range single-barrel guns and sticks, which according to him, were discharged, wounding several persons.
He accused Anthony Quiwonkpa of full involvement in the attack after he had openly warned them not to enter the town to campaign for the UP.
“I sent you guys text message and warned you not to enter Zor Clan to run campaign but your forced yourselves to come; blood will waste here before you guys can leave from this town; that was the word from Anthony Quiwonkpa toward Senator Jeremiah Koung and Senator Prince Johnson”, Wolo quotes Quiwonkpa to have said.
The latest violence on Friday occurred just a day after incumbent President George Manneh Weah conceded to UP Standard Bearer Joseph Nyumah Boakai and congratulated him for winning the 14 November 2023 Presidential Runoff Election here, calling on CDCians that it is over and they should return to normal life. Editing by Jonathan Browne
