The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) says it is calling for justice for the 27-year-old victim of an acid attack in Bomi County.
The Ministry’s call comes following the death of a 27-year-old woman who died weeks after she was allegedly ‘Acid Attacked’ by her ex-lover in Bomi County, thereby expressing serious disappointment over the untimely death of another victim of gender-based violence in the country.
Watta Sheriff was allegedly attacked by her ex-boyfriend, Momoh Kanneh, who, wasted acid on her following a disagreement between the two of them in Lowah Town, Klay District, Bomi County, and died after battling the severe wounds of the acid burn.
The MGCSP described the circumstances that led to the passing of Watta Sheriff as troubling, unfortunate, and therefore, condemns in the strongest terms, such act that resulted to the death of a promising young woman. The Ministry has extended deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
The Ministry said it sees the latest passing of another woman as a serious stumbling block in the ongoing fight against eradicating all forms of violence against women, children, and the vulnerable population.
The MGCSP said it is unthinkable that amid widespread public outrage about the danger of violence against women and children, some cruel elements continue to engage into unwholesome practices that are costing the lives of innocent women and children.
“These continued waves of abuses underscore the need for urgent and a more robust, aggressive, and collective national effort geared towards eliminating all forms of violence against children, women, and men,” a press release from the Gender Ministry said.
The late Watta Sheriff was ‘Acid Attacked’ on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 by a man believed to be her daughter’s father in Lowah town, Klay District, Bomi County. Following the attack, Watta was quickly rushed to the Tubmanburg Government Hospital to seek immediate medical attention. However, due to the severity of the wounds, she was transferred to the Redemption Hospital in New Kru town, where she later died.
The incident occurred after the victim informed the alleged perpetrator (Momoh) that she was tired of being maltreated by him, and that she was no longer interested in their relationship.
According to the MGCSP release, the deceased relocated to her family in Klay District where Momoh later followed her and attempted to apologize, but Watta was resolute and resisted all attempts by him to take her back to his Banjor residence. After realizing that Watta had continuously rejected his appeal, Momoh demanded that the late Watta return all the items he bought for her during the time of their six-year relationship. Those items included a touchscreen and a button phone, and US$20.00. Though the matter was later resolved through the intervention of family members, Momoh clandestinely returned to Lowah town and criminally entered the home of the late Watta, during which time he intentionally wasted the acid on her.
Gender Ministry has described the death of Sheriff as a brutal manifestation of violence against women and girls, and therefore calls on every Liberian to assist in heightening efforts to curtail such inhumane approach.
MGCSP terms Momoh’s action as wicked, diabolical, and highly uncivilized, insisting that such approach of seeking remedy to a “love-story” should never be tolerated and must have no place in our society.
Additionally, the Ministry extends its deepest sympathy to the family of the late Watta Sheriff and the women of Liberia, and once again, reassures this government’s fullest commitment in ensuring that women, children, and the vulnerable population, are properly cared for and protected from all forms of violence, abuses, and neglect.
At the same time, Gender calls on the Ministry of Justice to ensure that the alleged perpetrator is tried in keeping with the Penal Law of the Republic of Liberia, ensuring that the Sheriff’s family gets justice.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has committed itself to providing psychosocial assistance and counseling to the bereaved family and closely follow the adjudication of the case.
