Thursday, July 24 was a nightmare for the Liberian Nationwide Police when offended residents besieged the Nationwide Police Headquarters in Central Monrovia, demanding justice for a lady humiliated by an arresting officer.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia; July 25, 2025 – Tensions flared in Monrovia on Thursday, as members of the Fula group staged a protest on the Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP) headquarters, demanding justice for a feminine colleague allegedly assaulted and stripped by a police officer throughout an arrest.
The protest was sparked by a controversial incident involving Zainab Bah, a Fula girl, accused of energy theft. Viral video footage circulating on social media reveals a bodily altercation between Bah and a police officer, throughout which she seems to strike the officer and reportedly pour boiling soup on him.
The footage additionally reveals the officer making an attempt to arrest her whereas she carried her child. Protesters allege that her hijab was forcibly eliminated through the arrest, an act that has ignited outrage, significantly amongst Muslim and human rights communities.
Public reactions to the footage have been sharply divided. Some have condemned Bah’s habits towards the officer, whereas others expressed deep concern over the officer’s use of pressure and the perceived public humiliation the sufferer endured.
Talking to reporters on the protest, Mohamed Bah, the chief of the Fula Neighborhood in Monrovia described the incident as a gross violation of human rights.
“That is unacceptable,” he stated. “We’re calling for a speedy and neutral investigation into this incident. Justice should prevail.”
Police sources say Bah was being arrested for alleged energy theft, a second-degree felony beneath Liberian legislation, punishable by a jail time period of two to seven years or a effective of US$400 to US$1,000. Officers declare she resisted arrest and bodily assaulted legislation enforcement personnel.
Nonetheless, some observers argue that the way wherein the arrest was carried out, particularly the alleged stripping of Bah within the presence of her youngster, was each inhumane and culturally insensitive.
The incident has reignited nationwide debates on police brutality, human rights, and the remedy of girls by legislation enforcement officers within the nation.
In a pointy political response, opposition figures and CDC Secretary Common Jefferson Koijee, referred to as for the speedy dismissal of Police Inspector Common Gregory Coleman. He accused Coleman of presiding over a tradition of abuse and impunity throughout the Liberia Nationwide Police.
“This isn’t an remoted incident by a rogue officer. It displays Gregory Coleman’s management,” Koijee stated. “His tenure has been marked by reckless policing and repeated abuse of susceptible residents.”
Koijee additionally referenced a current case wherein Coleman allegedly publicly shamed a lady on social media, arguing that such habits from the highest has emboldened officers to mistreat civilians.
“No investigation can undo the trauma or cultural insult inflicted on Madam Bah,” Koijee said. “And no press launch can conceal what all of us noticed. That is who Gregory Coleman is, and what he promotes throughout the LNP.”
He warned that retaining Coleman as Inspector Common could be tantamount to endorsing gender-based violence and systemic impunity.
The Liberia Nationwide Police has pledged to conduct an inside investigation, however no timeline or particulars of potential disciplinary actions have been introduced. As of now, the federal government has not formally responded to Koijee’s calls for or the rising requires accountability.
Nonetheless, in a late night assertion, IG Coleman publicly apologized, promising to take corrective measures towards officers’ excesses. Modifying by Jonathan Browne
