Melvin Gbeilah Duo, General Cultural Coordinator of Nimba County, spent his first night in police detention in Sanniquellie following his alleged role in the abduction and an attempt to forcefully initiate journalist Alex Yormie.
Yormie, a Dan-language announcer at Radio Lar-wehyi in Tappita, Lower Nimba County, was reportedly assaulted and taken into the poro society bush after airing a report on the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ suspending traditional society activities.
Meanwhile, Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin and others, including representatives from the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Civil Society Organizations have intervened to secure Duo’s release.
He is expected to appear in court in the coming days.
Reports say his family was also seeking a peaceful resolution of the matter.
The incident occurred on June 30, shortly after Yormie aired a broadcast outlining the ministry’s decision to suspend all poro and sande society activities nationwide until January 2026. According to the journalist, Duo had called him that same day, demanding he report to his residence for questioning over the broadcast, which he claimed was defamatory to the sacred society. Yormie declined the invitation due to the aggressive tone of the call.
While on his way home, Yormie was allegedly abducted by unidentified individuals, beaten, and thrown into a pickup, and taken to Yriah Town, where he was to be forcibly initiated into the Poro Society.
The local ‘Bush Master’ reportedly refused to proceed, citing the government’s suspension.
Yormie was then taken to another nearby town, where he briefly escaped and hide in the forest before being recaptured.
His eventual release was facilitated through the intervention of PUL, the county authorities and officers of the Liberia National Police.
Source: P. Uriah Suah suahuriah86@gmail.com DN News