Monrovia – Within the house of simply 24 hours, the Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP) swung from pledging a full investigation into the alleged forceful removing of a Muslim lady’s hijab to declaring that no investigation was crucial as a result of “the video is evident.”
By Selma Lomax [email protected] and Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The incident, captured in a viral video and involving a visibly distressed lady resisting arrest whereas clutching her baby, has ignited deep spiritual, cultural, and political tensions within the capital and past.
On Wednesday, July 23, a confrontation between law enforcement officials — accompanying a crew from the Liberia Electrical energy Company (LEC) on an influence theft probe — and a girl later recognized as Zainab Bah escalated right into a chaotic scuffle. Within the video, Zainab is seen throwing chair and what gave the impression to be soup at one of many officers earlier than being overpowered.
Her hijab is forcibly pulled off within the course of, sparking instant backlash from the nation’s Muslim neighborhood. The second, seen by hundreds on-line, has come to represent greater than only a botched arrest — it has grow to be a rallying cry for justice, dignity, and respect for spiritual id.
Initially, the Inspector Normal of Police, Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman, took a reconciliatory tone in a press launch issued Wednesday night, promising swift motion. “We promise you of a really, very swift and speedy investigation and that report might be made to the general public very quickly,” Coleman acknowledged.
“We decide to the safety of each human being inside this nation no matter your custom, your tribe, political affiliation and no matter social standing of the particular person. We apologize and we wish to say that this investigation might be concluded. As soon as once more, we condemn that motion.”
However by Thursday, IG Coleman dramatically shifted his stance, dismissing the necessity for any investigation in any respect. “It’s clear. It doesn’t require no investigation. The video reveals the hijab being faraway from the lady, and for that we wish to ask for forgiveness,” he declared, whereas addressing a gaggle of protesters. “Eradicating the hijab is the same as eradicating that lady’s garments. As Inspector Normal of the Liberia Nationwide Police, whereas it’s true that we examine this matter one hundred pc, it occurred in plain view, it’s one thing that we are able to see. The lady hijab was eliminated. We’re right here to say that we’re sorry. We additionally use this time to vow you that this motion shouldn’t be according to the imaginative and prescient of the Liberia Nationwide Police, we condemn the act.”
The sudden reversal left many questioning whether or not the police management is appearing from real concern or merely reacting to mounting public strain. By Thursday morning, Carey Avenue in central Monrovia had reworked right into a sea of hijabs, indicators, and chants.
Dozens of Muslim ladies, some with tears streaming down their faces, gathered in peaceable protest demanding justice for Zainab. “Justice for Zainab!” they chanted, hoisting indicators that learn “Muslim Girls Demand Justice” and “Nationwide Fula Governor Calls for Accountability.”
“We’re not towards the legislation, however we demand respect for our religion,” one protester acknowledged. “No man — particularly an officer of the state — has the best to strip a girl of her dignity and faith.” The protest underscored the gravity of what the neighborhood views as not simply a person violation, however an institutional failure to respect spiritual norms.
The fallout has uncovered deep divisions not solely between the police and the Muslim neighborhood however inside the broader Liberian public. Some view the officer’s actions as extreme and disrespectful; others defend them as crucial below the circumstances.
Cyrus Gorkpor, a Christian, sided with the protestors, condemning the officer’s conduct: “The Police officer was very ruthless, you could possibly hearken to the opposite woman saying to the officer ‘this lady na appropriate’ however nonetheless he continues to make use of further power on her. I feel that is very unhappy and it’s alarming from the LNP.”
Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh, a Muslim and former senatorial candidate of Montserrado County and an ambassador-at-large within the Boakai administration, took to Fb to declare, “Injustice is aware of no tribe or race. Injustice to 1 is injustice to all. Zainab Bah deserves justice!”
However not all have been sympathetic. Sam Doe, in protection of the officers, argued, “The Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP) should stay neutral and never be influenced by spiritual sentiments on this matter. The protection and authority of all officers should be protected always.”
He added, “Any try to self-discipline officers primarily based solely on strain from spiritual advocates, whether or not Muslim, Christian, or in any other case units a harmful priority. It opens the door for varied teams to make use of faith as a device to undermine legislation enforcement. You will need to notice that no true Muslim lady would conduct herself in such a fashion in public. Muslim ladies are historically taught to respect authority and behave modestly always. Sure, the officers concerned might have used extreme power in response to the person’s conduct. This ought to be addressed internally by applicable steerage and retraining to make sure higher dealing with in future incidents. Nonetheless, no police officer ought to be publicly humiliated or disrespected below the guise of faith. Let this case function a reminder that respect for legislation enforcement is important for nationwide order, and the LNP should stand agency in upholding its integrity.”
“The IG ought to perceive that the legislation is neutral to faith. Should you break it, you could face penalties, irrespective of your faith or tribe,”mentioned Frank Bishop Quiah, commenting on the Police assertion.The officer, he mentioned, did nothing fallacious. An try for Gregory Coleman to droop or fireplace the officer, there might be a severe protests throughout the nation, mentioned Frank Bishop Quiah.
He was backed by Stephen Crawford, and others who voiced issues over perceived favoritism and rushed judgment.
Including political gasoline to the already flamable state of affairs, Jefferson Koijee, Secretary Normal of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change, launched a scathing critique of IG Coleman’s management.
“The so-called press assertion issued by the Liberia Nationwide Police relating to the disturbing abuse of Madam Zainab Bah is nothing however a flimsy, calculated cover-up issued after the injury has already been achieved. It’s insulting to the intelligence of the Liberian individuals and to the dignity of the lady who was assaulted whereas carrying her baby and stripped of her spiritual head masking (Hijab),” Koijee mentioned.
“This isn’t an remoted mistake by a rogue officer. That is the direct reflection of the management model of IG Coleman. His legacy is affected by public humiliations, careless policing, and abuse of susceptible residents, particularly ladies. Gregory Coleman doesn’t want an investigation to search out out who skilled his officers to behave this manner — they’re merely appearing out the identical humiliation and performative enforcement that their IG frequently shows. Simply weeks in the past, Coleman himself paraded a girl on social media, verbally degrading her in entrance of the nation, as an alternative of addressing the matter privately like knowledgeable. Now one other lady is brutalized, this time in entrance of her baby, and we’re informed an ‘investigation’ will repair this. No investigation can undo the deep trauma, the general public disgrace, and the cultural insult already inflicted. And no press assertion can cowl up what all of us noticed and already know: that is who Gregory Coleman is. That is how he operates. And that is what he promotes inside the LNP,” he added.
Regardless of conflicting opinions and mounting political strain, the Liberia Nationwide Police has reiterated its dedication to transparency, although it’s unclear whether or not the beforehand promised investigation remains to be underway.
