GBARNGA, Bong County — Bong County Electoral District One Representative Prince K. Koinah has called for calm and justice following a deadly incident that reportedly triggered violence and the destruction of homes in Dua Town, while pledging relief assistance to residents affected by the unrest.
Representative Koinah made the call Sunday, August 30, 2026, when he paid an emergency visit to Dua Town to assess the situation and interact with residents following an incident that began with the reported drowning of a couple from Kpanquoi Town in the St. John River.
According to a statement from the lawmaker’s office, the incident occurred on August 27 when Kennedy Nyah and his wife, Ruth Nyah, reportedly drowned while attempting to cross the St. John River at a nearby crossing point.
The deaths subsequently triggered tensions between residents of Kpanquoi and Dua, with violence reportedly erupting and several houses being destroyed in the process.
During his visit, Representative Koinah expressed condolences to the people of Kpanquoi Town and the families of the deceased, while also extending sympathy to residents of Dua Town who were affected by the ensuing violence.
The lawmaker condemned the violence in strong terms and urged residents of both communities to remain calm as authorities continue efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the subsequent attacks.
Koinah also pledged immediate assistance to victims whose homes were damaged or destroyed. He committed to providing 50 bundles of zinc to support the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected houses.
In addition to the roofing materials, the lawmaker provided 20 bags of rice and L$30,000 in financial assistance to residents affected by the crisis.
The District One lawmaker said the relief was intended to provide immediate support to families facing hardship as a result of the incident, while urging citizens to work together to restore peace in the affected communities.
Koinah said the deaths of Kennedy and Ruth Nyah were deeply troubling and called for a thorough investigation to determine what happened at the river crossing and whether any wrongdoing contributed to the tragedy.
He further stressed that those responsible for the subsequent violence must be held accountable through the appropriate legal process, emphasizing that justice should be pursued without resorting to retaliatory attacks.
“The loss of lives is painful, but we must not allow grief and anger to lead to further destruction,” Koinah told residents during the visit. “We need calm, we need justice, and we need the law to take its course.”
The representative also appealed to residents of Kokoyah to rally behind the affected families and communities, describing the situation as one that requires collective support rather than further division.
“At this difficult moment, Kokoyah citizens must stand together and support the victims,” Koinah said. “We cannot bring the deceased back, but we can prevent further suffering by helping those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.”
He also called on community leaders, elders and residents to cooperate with law enforcement authorities and refrain from actions that could further inflame tensions.
“I am appealing to our people to remain peaceful and allow the Liberia National Police to complete its investigation,” he said. “Anyone found responsible must face justice, but nobody should take the law into their own hands.”
Koinah was accompanied during the emergency visit by Representative Mannah Bishop Johnson of Bomi County Electoral District Two, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence.
The lawmaker expressed appreciation to the leadership of Bong County and the Liberia National Police for their interventions following the incident and urged authorities to maintain a presence in the affected communities to prevent further violence.
Six persons have been arrested in connection with the reported violence and are said to have been remanded at the Gbarnga Central Prison pending trial.
Representative Koinah is meanwhile calling for a speedy trial of those arrested, stressing that prolonged delays could further frustrate victims and communities seeking justice.
He also urged residents to resist misinformation and provocative actions while the legal process unfolds.
The lawmaker said the situation requires responsible leadership from community authorities and citizens alike, noting that the destruction of homes and displacement of residents would only deepen the suffering caused by the initial tragedy.
Koinah’s intervention comes as tensions remain a concern in the affected communities, with residents expected to rely on local authorities and security agencies to maintain peace while investigations continue.
The representative reaffirmed his commitment to working with community leaders and relevant government institutions to support the victims and promote reconciliation between the affected communities.
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