Liberia: Man Allegedly Stabbed Neighbor to Death Over “Chamber Bucket” Dispute

Margibi County—Officers of the Liberia National Police assigned at the Robert International Airport Police Depot in Lower Margibi County have arrested a 39-year-old man, Jeremiah Souh, in connection with the fatal stabbing of Anthony Alieu, following an alleged altercation over an overnight waste container commonly referred to as a “chamber bucket.”

The incident occurred early Saturday morning in the Smell No Taste Community in Lower Margibi County.

According to the police,, officers assigned at Zone-One Depot-Two apprehended Souh after he reportedly stabbed Alieu during a dispute.

Authorities say the accused was initially held at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Police Depot but had to be rescued by joint security forces—including the Police Support Unit (PSU), Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)—after an angry mob gathered at the station demanding that Souh be turned over for mob justice.

The crowd reportedly threw stones and other objects at the facility.

Souh was later transferred under tight security to the LNP Headquarters in Monrovia where he remains in custody.

In a voluntary statement to police investigators, the accused recounted that around 7:00 a.m. on the day of the incident, he took his overnight waste container (chamber bucket) to the toilet but claimed he did not use it.

He said a neighbor, identified only as Mamie, accused him of leaving the bucket filled with urine under her window.

According to Souh, Mamie’s son-in-law—later identified as the deceased, Anthony Alieu—allegedly confronted him with a knife, slapped him and stabbed him.

He claimed he wrestled the knife from Alieu and retaliated but could not recall where on the body he struck the fatal blow.

Contradicting the accused’s account, an eyewitness and neighbor, Mamie Lahai, told investigators that she found the bucket outside and after inquiring, was told by a lady only identified as “Jessica” that it belongs to Souh.

She narrated that when she confronted him, Souh allegedly denied ownership and threatened to throw her belongings outside if she disposed of the bucket.

Mamie stated that she did not touch the bucket but that Souh later entered her room and threw her belongings outside. Following the altercation, he reportedly locked himself inside his late mother’s house while neighbors banged on the door, calling for him to come out.

Eye witnesses, who chose to be anonymous, claimed that Souh eventually emerged holding a knife. Alieu, who had been among the crowd, reportedly attempted to flee but slipped and fell at which point Souh allegedly stabbed him before fleeing the scene.

The deceased was then rushed to Ma-Juah Memorial Health Center but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His body has since been transferred to Green Pasture Funeral Home Unification City for preservation.

For her part, Princess Payne, the girlfriend of the deceased, reported that Alieu had left home earlier that morning to iron clothes for his stepmother. She said she was unaware of his involvement in any confrontation until notified of his death.