Liberia: NEC Alerts Police Over Reported Disappearance of Sinoe Magistrate - FrontPageAfrica

Monrovia– The National Elections Commission has formally alerted the Liberia National Police over the reported disappearance of one of its senior staff members, Mr. Solomon Jaryenneh, who serves as Senior Elections Magistrate assigned to Sinoe County.

By Peter P. Toe, Jr., peterp.toe@frontpageafricaonline.com

In a press release issued Monday, May 11, 2026, the NEC disclosed that it had officially informed Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman and requested appropriate investigation and support regarding the matter.

According to the Commission, the concern was first raised through a written communication from Madam Hawa Jaryenneh, wife of the missing magistrate, who reported that her husband had not been heard from since early April after attending official NEC activities.

The NEC stated that Mr. Jaryenneh attended NEC workshops in Harper, Maryland County, and Ganta, Nimba County, before reportedly indicating plans to travel within the Maryland County corridor near the Liberia–Côte d’Ivoire border in search of traditional treatment for an undisclosed health condition.

“According to the family’s report, all attempts to reach Mr. Jaryenneh since 2 April 2026 have been unsuccessful, and his whereabouts remain unknown,” the NEC release stated.

The Commission said it has already taken several immediate actions, including formally documenting the family’s complaint, notifying the Liberia National Police through the office of the Inspector General, and maintaining communication with the family to provide any necessary institutional support.

“The NEC emphasizes that this matter is being treated with utmost seriousness and sensitivity, and the Commission remains committed to cooperating fully with national security authorities as investigations proceed,” the statement noted.

The NEC also encouraged members of the public with credible information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Solomon Jaryenneh to contact the Liberia National Police or communicate through appropriate NEC channels.

The NEC statement follows growing public concern after FrontPage Africa earlier reported the magistrate’s reported disappearance, based on accounts from family members and colleagues.

Speaking previously to FrontPage Africa via WhatsApp, Madam Hawa Jaryenneh said her husband left home for NEC-related assignments and never returned.

“My husband never had any issue. He said he was going to Maryland County for workshop and since then he hasn’t been found,” she said.

She disclosed that efforts by family members to trace his movements across the Liberia–Ivory Coast border yielded conflicting information from security authorities on both sides.

“We went to the border on Liberian side and they said he crossed. But when we crossed to Ivory Coast side the securities checked the records and they didn’t see his name so they said he didn’t cross,” she explained.

Madam Jaryenneh also revealed that while her husband’s phone occasionally rings, repeated calls have gone unanswered. “We call him sometimes the phone can be on and off, but no answer. I am currently in Sanpetro, Ivory Coast. I haven’t seen my husband. It has never happened before. What getting me afraid, sometimes the phone will ring no answer,” she added.

Meanwhile, Thomas Wilson, Deputy Magistrate of the Maryland County NEC office, earlier confirmed to FrontPage Africa that Mr. Jaryenneh attended the NEC workshops before later informing him of plans to travel around the Ivory Coast area for personal reasons.

Wilson explained that after completing training activities in Ganta, the magistrate briefly returned to Harper, spent a night at his residence, and departed for Ivory Coast the following day.

“So he went to Ivory Coast according to him. He called me while there and he promised to call me back after, but he didn’t. When I called him the next day he said he was on a motorbike and said he was to call me back and since then he hadn’t called me,” Wilson said.

As of publication, the Liberia National Police had not publicly commented on the matter or announced any active search efforts.

Jaryenneh’s whereabouts remain unknown as family members, NEC officials, and security authorities continue efforts to trace his last known movements between Maryland County and neighboring Côte d’Ivoire.

The NEC statement was signed by Titus W. Tokpah, Sr., Communications Director of the Commission.