The Liberia National Police (LNP) River Gee Detachment has arrested five men for publicly humiliating a woman, who the men stripped naked and publicly paraded her.
The men have accused the woman for being a witch, though no trace of the act was established.
Police have meanwhile, launched a full investigation into the public humiliation of Madam Regina Partah, a 58-year-old Grebo woman accused of witchcraft activity.
Police say, the abuse occurred on March 8, in Torroken Town, Kilepo Chiefdom, Chedepo Administrative District.
According to the LNP, Madam Partah was stripped naked, and forced to parade through the community by a group of men, who accused her of being a witch.
The case drew national attention after a video of the incident circulated on social media, showing the “cruel and degrading treatment the men melted against the woman.”
Investigators say, a 21-year old Abraham Koklue, accompanied the victim while she was striped comleely nude.
Koklue is identified as a Guinean national who claimed to be a traditional medicine practitioner. Authorities alleged that Koklue carried a single-barrel rifle, fired shots in the air, and ordered Madam Partah to repeatedly squat before the teaming crowd while she was paraded before onlookers.
Following the release of the video, police arrested five suspects that are linked to the incident.
They were identified as Abraham Koklue, Cyrus Tenpo, Thomas Sloh, Doe Wapplo and Patrick Swen.
River Gee LNP Detachment Commander, Theophilus Togbah, confirmed the arrests, and said, the men are being investigated in Fish Town.
“The investigation remains active, and anyone found criminally liable will be dealt with in accordance with the laws,” Togbah told reporters.
Sources aware of the woman’s ordeal, narrated that some local chiefdom leaders have threatened residents to keep quiet about the incident or else, they would face the wrath of an unknown.
Despite the efforts, the video leaked online and sparked widespread outrage.
Human rights advocates and locals have called on authorities to ensure justice for Madam Partah, and stronger protection for vulnerable women and the elderly.
LNP says the probe is ongoing and more arrests are possible as evidence are gathered.