Football Violence Hits Nimba …As Game Ends in Riot Leaving One Dead, Several Wounded, Properties Destroyed

What was intended to showcase entertaining football tournament among several towns in District #7, Nimba County turned violent leaving one person dead. Several others were wounded and many properties destroyed in Fehnplay New Town in the district.
According to reports from a local news outlet, the football tournament was organized by Fehnplay “All Stars Citizens” in Fehnplay Old Town in Gbao Clan. It was also intended to raise funds to undertake development.
A Nimba County eyewitness narrated that the riot ensued when Gbao-Gwehlay town rejected a goal scored by Fehnplay Old town while they were playing. Immediately, an ensuing argument disrupted the match from going ahead between the teams of both towns.
Since they had played in Fehnplay New Town, Gbao-Gwehlay’s supporters and players had to go back to their town but had to cross the Gweh River that divides both towns.
While in en-route back to their town, a 22-year-old man identified as Prince Monbiah Beah, got drown in the river and it was blamed on three Fehnplay male residents, who allegedly used their machetes to cut a rope that guided the canoe over the river to safety. Prince was reportedly a spectator who had gone to watch the game.
When the reports of the drowning and other circumstances surrounding it reached Gbao-Gwehlay, residents of that town didn’t waste any time but rushed to avenge the death of Beah on Fehnplay residents. At least seven houses were vandalized and five persons were seriously wounded including 46-year-old Matthew Dahn of Gbao-Gwehlay who also got wounded severely on his head and had to be rushed to the Bahn Health Center, where he underwent medical treatment.
Meanwhile, police in Bahn City have arrested several persons from both towns. The ugly incident brings to three violent situations which have erupted as a result of unsettled dispute from football games in that locality.