Monrovia — A Liberian student studying in India has died after allegedly being attacked and thrown from a four-storey building by a group of foreign students, including a fellow Liberian.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com and J.H. Webster Clayeh, websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com
The victim, Sam Paor Juday, reportedly sustained severe injuries, including traumatic brain damage, and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
According to reports, Indian authorities have arrested the suspects while they were allegedly attempting to flee the country. Police confirmed that the passport of the prime suspect, identified as Noui Kur Majak, a South Sudanese national, is currently in their possession.
Background of the Victim
Juday, 29, hailed from Weddabo Julukan, Grand Kru County. He was a graduate of Tubman University in Harper, where he earned a Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) degree. He later traveled to India to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Kalinga University.
What Happened?
Sources say Juday met his untimely death following an alleged altercation triggered by accusations of sexual harassment. A female student reportedly accused Juday of inappropriate conduct and contacted her boyfriend, said to be a South Sudanese national.
Accounts reviewed by FrontPage Africa indicate that the boyfriend, accompanied by four other foreign students — including a South Sudanese, a Nigerian, and a Liberian — allegedly attacked Juday and two of his friends, both Liberians.
During the altercation, one of Juday’s friends was stabbed. As his companions fled to seek help, Juday was reportedly chased to the rooftop of the building and thrown to the ground.
As a result, Juday sustained multiple injuries, including a broken jaw and severe head trauma. Medical personnel later confirmed that he died after blood entered his brain.
Government Reacts
The Government of Liberia has yet to issue an official statement. However, Assistant Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saywhar Gbaa, confirmed that the ministry has contacted Indian authorities through India’s Embassy near Monrovia.
Students Renew Call for Liberian Embassy in India
The incident has sparked renewed concern among Liberians at home and abroad, particularly within the student community in India.
In an exclusive interview with FrontPage Africa, Joselyn Toomey, President of the Liberian Student Association in India, renewed calls for the establishment of a Liberian embassy or consulate in India, citing growing security risks and lack of diplomatic protection.
She added that many Liberian students are often misled by false promises of part-time jobs and sponsorship opportunities.
Toomey disclosed that student leaders have held discussions with Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs, Charlyn Taylor, who promised to engage Indian authorities. Discussions also included the possible repatriation of Juday’s remains to Liberia.
She further noted that with support from the Liberian Student Association and their Sudanese counterparts, the alleged perpetrators are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
Pattern of Violence
This is not the first time Liberian students in India have reported violent confrontations. In 2024, Liberian students in Ludhiana, Punjab, complained of repeated attacks by a Nigerian gang reportedly composed of former students who had overstayed their visas or been expelled from universities.
According to the students, the conflict began in 2020 following a campus dispute and escalated into recurring attacks. Incidents in April reportedly left several Liberians severely injured and their homes burned.
Students shared photos and videos with FrontPage Africa showing injuries and destroyed living quarters.
One female student, who requested anonymity, said they were forced to live and study in constant fear.
Another victim, Tommy V.D. Johnson of SBS College in Ludhiana, told FrontPage Africa that gang members invaded his residence and stole electronic devices, including computers, phones, and cameras. He added that a colleague, popularly known as “Twenty-One,” was stabbed multiple times during one of the attacks.
Growing Concerns
India has become an increasingly popular destination for African students due to relatively affordable tuition and living costs compared to Europe, North America, and Australia.
However, Toomey said the growing number of Liberian students studying in India makes it imperative for Liberia to establish a diplomatic mission to protect students’ welfare and address emergencies.
“An embassy would help safeguard the interests of Liberian students and provide timely intervention when crises arise,” she said.
The post Liberian Student Dies in India After Alleged Attack; Perpetrators Arrested as Peers Renew Call for Opening Liberian Embassy appeared first on FrontPageAfrica.
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