
— Police apprehends suspect Jallah following brutal stabbing to death of former fiancée
Bill Jallah, the man who allegedly murdered his ex-fiancée, Princess Zuo, has been arrested by the Liberia National Police (LNP), Police Spokesperson, Cecelia Clarke, has said.
Clarke stated that Jallah voluntarily surrendered himself at the Zone Five police depot and is currently under investigation.
“He is in police custody, and the police are conducting their investigation,” she said.
Zuo, 30, was allegedly stabbed multiple times near Duport-Road Junction in Paynesville by Jallah after she refused to discuss unsettling issues within their relationship. The attack led to her death, according to eyewitnesses.
According to social media reports and accounts from friends, Jallah had requested a face-to-face meeting with the deceased to discuss unsettling issues within their relationship, ultimately leading to the fatal altercation. Jallah is a leader in the Latter-Day Saints Church.
“Nobody came across Princess without liking her,” a close friend who requested to be unnamed told The Liberian Investigator. “She was sweet and did not deserve this. Her future was very promising.”
The news of Zuo’s death has reopened a national discussion on violence against women, and how difficult it is for women to leave abusive relationships. Some argued that this happens after the celebration and at the end of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. In a statement, the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) condemned the action, and called on the government, particularly the LNP to take immediate action. “The organization demands that the perpetrator be apprehended and face the full extent of the law,” the institution said.
The murder of Zuo, according to WONGOSOL “underscores the dangers many women face when attempting to leave abusive relationships.”
The government of Liberia has been urged to increase investment in resources for counseling, conflict resolution, and legal support for victims of violence.” Early intervention, robust support systems, and awareness campaigns are vital to preventing further tragedies like this,” WONGOSOL believes.
“Despite the tireless efforts of civil society organizations, gender-based violence remains pervasive in Liberia. Princess Zuo’s death is a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action to end violence against women and girls. This includes addressing unresolved conflicts in relationships and fostering a culture of accountability, justice, and prevention.”
“WONGOSOL unequivocally condemns this senseless act of violence and calls on the government, through the Liberia National Police, to act swiftly and decisively. We demand that the perpetrator be apprehended and face the full weight of the law. Justice for Princess Zuo cannot and must not be delayed.”
Violence against women and girls is the most pervasive human rights violence the murder of women and girls by their partners is known as femicide. It is the most extreme form of violence, and they are often the outcome of prior forms of violence perpetrated against them within their homes.
Research conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women states that globally approximately 51,100 women and girls were killed by their intimate partners or other family members during 2023.
Titled “Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides”, says the figure in 2023 was higher than the 2022 estimate of 48,800 victims.