Gbarnga, Bong County – A Bong County man accused of killing his “cheating” wife Monday apologized to the deceased’s family in an emotionally-filled interview he had with journalists minutes before being transferred to the Gbarnga Magisterial Court.
“I feel very hurt, very unhappy at the moment. I want to ask my wife’s parents and relatives to forgive me, it wasn’t my intention to do what I did. I acted on jealousy after I was misinformed by my friends that my wife was into an extra relationship with someone from a neighboring town,” said 35-year-old Dolo Kollie.
Kollie faces a murder charge for killing his wife of nine children, Hawa Yarkpawolo, 43, on March 31.
Police said Kollie had a big argument with his wife on the night of her death. He accused her of having an illicit relationship with another man in the nearby town.
During the argument, he beat his wife, who then decided to divorce him. “The accused was angry at his wife for divorcing him,” police said. “He then killed her by chopping her neck five times with a cutlass.”
After killing her, he fled the scene. The victim’s body was found the same day by her younger sister when she went to ask for her. The sister reported the discovery to the town chief who later informed the police.
Kollie was arrested one week after in Botota, Kokoyah Statutory District after police launched a manhunt.
Open apology before family members
Kollie’s apology became emotional when he apologized to few of the deceased’s family members who witnessed the interview with journalists at the police headquarters Monday.
During the interview, he continually looked at the deceased’s older brother, Jefferson Lyeah, at one stage apologizing: “I’m so sorry I did this. I just don’t know what motivated me to do what I did,” he said in an oddly emotional tone.
“I know what my actions have done to the family of my wife. I’m begging all those I offended by killing their daughter and sister to forgive me. I acted out of jealousy.”
– 35-year-old Suspect Dolo Kollie
Deceased’s brother: Kollie needs to face justice
Jefferson Lyeah, the deceased’s brother who witnessed Kollie’s apology during his interview, said the loss of his sister is “a nightmare no family” should have to go through.
Lyeah said Kollie has inflicted a “lifetime of suffering and pain” on their family. “You have inflicted a lifetime of suffering on our family by causing this tragic death of our beloved sister,” he said.
Lyeah said Kollie has a “controlling, jealous and possessive nature” and was “unable to accept the end of their relationship”.
“Justice will be done. Nobody gets away with murder. Dolo will have to face justice for his action. He has brought untold pains to our family. We are devasted.”
Murder cases linked to love affairs
Sordid details and betrayals appear to be the twin dominant factors behind murder cases and attempts to murder in Bong County, crime statistics with police in the county show.
According to the police data accessed by FrontPageAfrica Thursday, illicit relationships account for 60 percent of the 16 cases of murder in the county since October 2019.
The figure is five percent higher than the premeditated homicide cases the previous years.
“The victims in most cases were done away with brutality” a senior police, who is an expert in homicide cases told FrontPageAfrica, requesting abnonmity.
“In almost all the cases the accused is found to be a first-timer, and a sense of betrayal or feeling for revenge precedes the act,” the officer said.
The data reveals that a murder case takes place in Bong County where reasons to be the suspect is learning about an illicit relationship of his or her partner, finding one’s partner in a compromising position with another person, and the argument over sexual problem or incompatibility.
Murder cases on the rise
Since September 10, 2019 up to present, as many as 38 cases of murder and 54 of attempts to murder have been reported in Bong County.
An analysis shows that out of total murder and attempts to murder cases, about 90 percent of that figure were related to illicit relationships or inappropriate sexual indulgence.
In 2020, similar motives were established in about 8 percent of murder cases. “In most of these cases, sharped-edged weapons or fire arms have been used by the killer to ensure death,” Mr. Kellenso Flomo, head of the Crimes Services Department of the Liberia National Police, told FrontPageAfrica.
He said there have been numerous cases where a woman conspired to eliminate her lover or husband, with the help of a male partner. “At times, these motivated murders are followed by arguments and altercations over sexual behavior,” he said.
In April 2020, a 29-year-old woman was killed by her husband over suspicion of having illicit relationship in Gbarnga. The victim was attacked with a cylinder and her husband slit her throat.
Local leaders, police condemn rise in murder cases
Meanwhile, residents of Bong and local leaders have joined the police in condemning the rising number of murder cases in the county with at least two people being killed in the last two months.
In an interview with FrontPageAfrica, the Chief Superintendent of Police Bong County Detachment, Frederick Nepay, expressed concern that people continue to ignore calls to respect the sancity of life.
“We are reminding people that police have tightened their security measures against murderers. We will not hesitate to arrest all those who are turning into social monsters,” Nepay said.
He added: “The lady who died on March 31 in Mano Wainsue, Jorquelleh District Two lost her life over petty issues and that can’t be tolerated at all.”
Nepay said the majority of murder cases were the result of domestic disputes, while others involved mentally challenged persons.
Meanwhile, the head of Bong County Women Organization, Olivia Weetol, has urged women who face domestic violence to report to responsible authorities to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
“We are encouraging women to report all cases of domestic violence to relevant authorities. Some women are dying silently because they’re afraid of divorce if they report their violent husbands to the police,” she said.
She urged aggrieved people to seek counseling from elderly or church leaders to resolve their differences rather than taking the law into their hands.
“Misunderstandings are common even among couples but the best solutions is to seek for counseling from your superiors. People are killing each other over issues that are not worth dying for,” she said.