A devastating incident in Takinta, located in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, has claimed two lives, raising serious concerns about mental health and safety in the community.
The tragedy unfolded when 42-year-old Nya Meah allegedly murdered his neighbor, Cosmos Nda, after the latter tried to intervene and prevent him from committing suicide.
Reports indicates that Nya Meah initially attempted to reach his son by phone to inform him of his intention to take his own life, but the call went unanswered. In a final attempt, he sent a voice message to his son, urging him not to place his body in the morgue after his death.
Upon receiving the message, the son hurriedly sought help and went to notify his uncle. Along the way, he encountered Cosmos Nda, who, learning of the situation, decided to head to Nya Meah’s house to offer assistance.
When they arrived, Nya Meah allegedly confronted Cosmos, accusing him of repeatedly pursuing him. The situation escalated quickly, with Nya Meah retreating into his room and emerging with a knife. He then chased Cosmos, who fell while trying to escape. Nya Meah is reported to have fatally attacked Cosmos in that moment.
After the attack, Nya Meah fled the scene, and efforts to locate him proved fruitless. However, he later returned to the area unnoticed and is believed to have entered his home, ingested weedicide, and set the building on fire while inside. Neighbors, alerted by the smoke, rushed to the scene, only to find Nya Meah’s lifeless body in the burning house.
The community has been left in shock over the tragic events, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the deaths. This incident highlights the growing need for increased mental health support and resources, particularly in local communities.