Monrovia – The deadly taking pictures of Matthew Mulbah, a younger man reportedly battling psychological sickness, by officers of the Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP) in Congo City has triggered combined public reactions, with some calling it a obligatory use of pressure whereas others, together with CDC Secretary-Common Jefferson T. Koijee, have described it as a state-sanctioned killing.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) | [email protected]
In line with the LNP, the incident unfolded when a suspect, later recognized as Matthew Mulbah, attacked officers with a cutlass.
“The suspect charged with a cutlass, hanging and deeply wounding a second officer. The wound was inflicted on his arm when he raised his hand to guard his head from being hit with the cutlass. A 3rd officer intervened and efficiently disarmed the suspect of the cutlass. Unaware that the suspect had a hid knife sealed in his pais, the suspect then stabbed the third officer in his thigh and tried one other cross in direction of his stomach. Dealing with an instantaneous mortal hazard, and in accordance with the LNP’s use-of-force continuum, one of many officers discharged his service weapon, immediately neutralizing the risk and stopping additional hurt to his colleagues,” stated Col. Gregory Coleman, Inspector Common of the Liberia Nationwide Police hours after the incident.
The LNP maintains that the officer’s use of a firearm was a obligatory motion to guard lives, asserting that the suspect’s violent assault left them no various.
Nevertheless, eyewitnesses and opposition voices have painted a contrasting image of the occasions. Jefferson Koijee, Secretary-Common of the Coalition for Democratic Change, instructed FrontPage Africa that the suspect might have been mentally unstable on account of cerebral malaria.
“We tried to get him to the hospital however he refused, saying he didn’t wish to go away his room. Police have been later referred to as and tried to forcibly enter his room. It grew to become violent, and three officers intentionally overpowered him. He was shot a number of occasions within the abdomen in his personal room and dragged outdoors bare,” Koijee alleged.
Officers Confronted “Mortal Hazard”
In a dwell video podcast, Police Inspector Common Gregory Coleman defended the actions of the officers concerned, stating that they acted inside the LNP’s use-of-force continuum after being met with “imminent mortal hazard.”
In line with IG Coleman, the police obtained a misery name on October 8, 2025, at 14:55 reporting that officers had been stabbed close to the outdated Liberia Anti-Corruption Fee (LACC) in Congo City.
“The suspect charged with a cutlass, hanging and deeply wounding a second officer. The wound was inflicted on his arm when he raised his hand to guard his head,” Coleman defined.
He added that whereas one officer efficiently disarmed Mulbah of the cutlass, the suspect allegedly had a hid knife in his trousers, which he used to stab a 3rd officer within the thigh and tried to lunge at his stomach.
“Dealing with an instantaneous mortal hazard… one of many officers discharged his service weapon, immediately neutralizing the risk and stopping additional hurt to his colleagues,” IG Coleman stated.
At one finish, Inspector Common of Police led a crew of police in candlelight Vigil on the John F. Kennedy Medical Middle, the place a few of their officers present process remedy.
In a message “A Mild Nonetheless Burning” IG Coleman stated, “Tonight, beneath the delicate glow of our candles, we collect not in mourning, however in hope — hope for one in all our personal, a courageous officer who answered a name for assist and now fights for his life within the Intensive Care Unit.”
In line with IG Coleman, the did what each good officer does. “He ran towards the hazard so others might be secure.”
“As we maintain these candles, we’re not solely lighting the evening — we’re sending power, prayers, and love his method. Every flame represents a coronary heart that refuses to surrender on him. Every gentle whispers: you aren’t alone,” he stated.
IG Coleman added: “To his household, know that the Liberia Nationwide Police stands beside you. To his colleagues, let this second remind us of why we put on this uniform — to serve with honor, even when it prices us every little thing.”
Koijee Fires Again: “A State-Sanctioned Homicide”
However Jefferson T. Koijee, in a sharply worded assertion, accused Coleman of spreading falsehoods and presiding over a sample of extrajudicial killings.
“This was not an accident or remoted misconduct. It was a sanctioned execution underneath the authority of the Liberia Nationwide Police,” Koijee stated.
He cited an eyewitness account suggesting Mulbah had turn out to be mentally unstable, presumably on account of cerebral malaria, and had resisted makes an attempt by mates to take him to a hospital. Police have been later referred to as in, and in accordance with the witness, Mulbah was shot a number of occasions within the abdomen inside his room and dragged outdoors bare.
“This chilling account paints a really totally different image from the false narrative being peddled by Gregory Coleman,” Koijee added, revealing that Mulbah’s household is getting ready a proper rebuttal.
‘A Sample of Abuse’
Koijee went on to catalogue a number of prior incidents underneath Coleman’s management, which he believes point out a sample of police-sanctioned killings.
“These aren’t remoted tragedies. They’re the bitter fruits of a corrupt and violent system that Gregory Coleman has cultivated,” Koijee stated.
He additional alleged that identified criminals, together with Johnny Dean (ID #0168) — a person beforehand dismissed for armed theft — now serves as Chief of the Felony Investigation Division, Unit 106.
“The police have turn out to be a gang of criminals, not a pressure for security,” Koijee charged.
Eyewitness, Journalist Share Perspective
Including to the complicated narrative, Liberian journalist Abu Sherif took to Fb, calling Mulbah a shut good friend, describing him as a “light big” who had just lately proven indicators of significant sickness.
“A couple of week in the past, I used to be knowledgeable that Matthew had fallen unwell and his habits had turn out to be unusual—presumably cerebral malaria,” Sherif wrote. “Associates pooled assets to assist him get remedy, however he grew to become violent. Within the technique of making an attempt to disarm him, officers have been reportedly stabbed. Within the chaos, they shot him within the abdomen.”
Sherif criticized the police for a lack of professionalism, saying the scenario may have been dealt with in another way, although he acknowledged that officers have been injured within the altercation.
Public Response and Requires Impartial Probe
As outrage simmers throughout social media platforms, civil society actors and political commentators are calling for an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mulbah’s demise.
“Till this corrupt management is purged and the police are cleansed of their legal components, peace and justice will stay illusions,” Koijee concluded.
Regardless of repeated requests for additional remark, the Liberia Nationwide Police has not offered further info past IG Coleman’s preliminary assertion.
