GBARNGA, Bong County — A canoe accident on the St. John River has plunged communities in Bong County into tension after the disappearance of a couple sparked allegations, retaliatory attacks and the burning of homes and a rice kitchen in Duah Town.
The incident, which occurred on August 27, 2026, involved Kennedy Nyah and his wife, Ruth Nyah, residents of Kpanquoi Town, who reportedly went missing after the canoe in which they were traveling capsized at a crossing point along the St. John River.
What initially began as a search for the missing couple later developed into a violent confrontation, with several residents reportedly injured and at least 10 houses destroyed.
The violence reportedly occurred in Duah Town, Senwein Clan, Boinsen Administrative District, where a rice kitchen and several houses were allegedly set ablaze following the canoe accident.
Relatives and other community members reportedly became angered by the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and allegedly accused the canoe operator of deliberately causing the incident.
The allegation has not been independently established, and the circumstances that led to the canoe capsizing remain subject to investigation.
The growing anger reportedly resulted in some residents targeting properties in Duah Town, turning the aftermath of the river accident into a wider security and community dispute.
Amid the escalating situation, Bong County Electoral District One Representative Prince K. Koinah has stepped in, calling for an immediate end to the violence and urging residents of the affected communities to exercise restraint.
Rep. Koinah’s office has condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, describing the destruction of property and injuries as deeply unfortunate and stressing that residents must allow the appropriate authorities to investigate the incident and pursue justice.
As part of his intervention, Representative Koinah has dispatched a team comprising his Chief of Staff and Administrative Officer to the affected communities.
The team has been tasked with engaging residents and supporting efforts to calm tensions while working alongside law enforcement and local authorities.
The intervention is aimed at preventing further violence and creating an environment in which authorities can conduct their investigation without additional confrontation.
The Liberia National Police and local county authorities have also moved into the area as efforts continue to restore law and order.
The security intervention comes at a time when the fate of the couple remains a major concern for relatives and residents.
The body of Ruth Nyah has reportedly been recovered from the St. John River, while search efforts remain underway for her husband, Kennedy.
The recovery of Ruth’s body has intensified the urgency surrounding the search for Kennedy and has further underscored the need for calm as relatives await answers about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Representative Koinah has expressed frustration over the violence that followed the accident, particularly the reported destruction of homes and other properties.
The lawmaker has urged residents not to resort to retaliation or take the law into their own hands, warning that such actions could further deepen tensions and result in additional injuries and destruction.
He has instead encouraged residents to cooperate with law enforcement and allow investigators to establish what happened before, during and after the canoe capsized.
The District One lawmaker is also urging residents of both Kpanquoi and Duah to protect the peace and avoid actions that could widen the dispute between the communities.
His office said Koinah remains engaged in efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of residents affected by the incident, while his dispatched team continues its engagement with community members.
The incident has highlighted broader concerns over the potential for local disputes to escalate rapidly when communities are confronted with tragedy, uncertainty and unverified allegations.
For residents of Kpanquoi and Duah, the immediate priorities remain the restoration of calm, the continued search for Kennedy Nyah and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the canoe accident and subsequent attacks.
Authorities are expected to maintain their presence in the affected communities as the situation develops.
Representative Koinah has meanwhile reiterated his call for peace, emphasizing that any person found responsible for wrongdoing should face justice through the established legal process rather than through retaliatory attacks.
He has appealed to residents to remain calm, cooperate with the authorities and refrain from further violence as efforts continue to resolve the crisis.
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