Man, 21 Shot Himself Dead

Report from Nimba County speaks of the shooting of a 21-year-old man dead with his own Single Barrel Gun in a village identified as Madli.

The unidentified man is reported to have come from a hunting expedition when he was reportedly playing with his gun and mistakenly left a live bullet in, advanced it and put his finger into the trekker discharging the bullet into him instantly killing him.

Family sources told local journalists in the area that the deceased was not in confusion with anyone, neither has he spoken of committing suicide at any point in time of his life as he was a happy and free man prior to his death.

As a matter of fact, the incident took place amongst his siblings some of whom have told journalists and traditional people in the area that the incident was a complete mistake and therefore could not blame the misfortune of their brother or son to suicide, but rather negligent homicide resulting to the taking away of his own life.

A local journalist in the area has reported that the man has since been buried according in line with tradition.

Under Liberian traditional and customary laws, if a person mysteriously dies as a result of either a negligent homicide, drowning or otherwise tempering as a result of wild animals attack or ancestral connections, said remains or corps of people do not normally enter a town or village since in their minds it evokes more similar death spirits and brings about untold suffering or pestilence in said community or region.

In another related development, another unidentified man believed to be in his earliest 40s has shot himself in his right hand in Gbanah Village, few miles away from the commercial city of Ganta in Nimba County.

The man is said to have mistakenly shot himself while trying to go in self-defense against alleged followers of Poro-Master (Country Devil) for allegedly attempting to forcibly initiate him into the Poro Society.

The Poro Society is a traditional bush school that is designed to teach morals in society, the role and responsibilities of the African man while at the same time teaching him to be a good husband and father when he gets mature.

It also teaches initiates how to live in peace and harmony with one’s neighbors and the society at large.

No arrest has been made so far in the reported forceful initiation quest of the man, but concerns are being raised over the public use of firearms by residents of that part of Liberia.

The man at the center of the case told community residents that he is not illegally possessing the arm as it is registered with the government of Liberia for self-defense purpose as a well-known business man and he is not alone as others have similar short arms to protect themselves against who be robbers or attackers.

The incident comes less than a week after a Pastor of the Inland Church in Nimba, Anthony Saye threatened to enter the Poro School and take away one of his members who was allegedly forced into initiation of the society by followers of the Poro-Master.