MONROVIA – Barely three days after Liberia secured the much-publicized and well-campaigned for Non-permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where social justice, global peace and security, human rights, civil liberties and dignity are propagated for implementation by the 193-member states of the global body, for some elements of the Liberia National Police (LNP) they had different plans to taint the newly-gained international recognition of the tiny West African nation – Liberia.
For so long, in the past Liberian security forces were accused of grave human rights violation of the very people they took oath to serve and protect. After the 1980 military coup surprisingly led by Master Sergeant Samuel Kanyon Doe (deceased), the LNP violated the rights of Liberians, including arbitrary arrests, torture and detention and mysterious deaths. In the end, when the civil broke out police officers along with other security agents became target for rebel forces fighters’ reprisal and revenge.
When the first phase of the civil-war ended and various interim governments took over the mantle of the state, due to the presence of international peacekeepers, the local security forces that worked alongside them maintained some level of respect for human rights.
Fast forward to former President Charles Taylor’s Administration, the police special unit popularly known as Special Operations Division (SOD) became notorious for human rights abuses in Liberia, even the United States Treasury Reports on Human Rights globally, always singled the LNP out for right violations during those times. It is reported that the current Inspector General of the Police, Gregory Coleman once served that unit, prior to the end of the Taylor’s era.
During the Administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in isolated cases the LNP was also accused of human rights violations, intimidation, harassment and arbitrary arrests of peaceful citizens. All of their missteps were documented by various local and international rights groups among others. In the case of former President Sirleaf, she replaced senior managers of the police once it came to alleged human rights violations, the most notable being former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Abraham Kromah, who was slammed for his harsh manner in getting motorcyclists from no-gone zones.
Also, the George Weah Administration with the LNP being headed by Inspector General Patrick Sudue, a childhood friend of Weah, the same old stories of police brutalities, human rights abuse, intimidation, extortion, arbitrary arrests, among other violations resurfaced. Again, local and international rights and civil society groups reports captured these vices of the LNP during the Weah’s Administration.
Fast forward to the current government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, it seems some elements of the LNP do not want to learn from the past history of reported human rights violation carried out by previous officers, which have tainted the image of the force over the years and up to now.
The CDC National Chairman Janga Kowo’s Brutal Handling by LNP Officers
And so, on Friday, June 6, 2025, social media was flooded with video footages of riot police officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) seen bodily brutalizing and assaulting the National Chairman of the opposition Congress for Democratic (CDC), Atty. Janga Kowo, for what was believed to be obstruction of flow of traffic when his vehicle was reportedly parked in the main route on Capitol Hill not far from the headquarters of the LNP.
In the footage, LNP riot officers in numbers are seen bodily bundling the CDC chairman in the carrier of a police twin-cabin pickup. The CDC chairman fell onto the floor of the carrier like a bag of rice and was probably trampled upon by officers who tried to subdue him further by placing handcuffs on his hands. Before he was thrown into bed of the pickup, he was seen lifting up his hands high in the air to show surrender, but the officers, according to the reported orders from Deputy Police Inspector General for Operations, Nelson Freeman, moved on Kowo, hassled him up and later threw him into bed of the pickup. Freeman did not relent to maltreat Kowo. He was handcuffed along with another CDC supporter and driven to the headquarters of the LNP.
Immediately following that ugly incident as was shown on social media, the Liberia National Police later released the CDC chairman few hours later following massive public condemnations, something which has tainted the image of the LNP.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police (LNP) acknowledges the public’s concerns regarding the recent ‘apprehension’ of Mr. Janga Kowo, Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change.
According to LNP statement issued under the signature of DCP Cecelia G. Clarke Spokesperson, Liberia National Police says, while the LNP maintains that the arrest was based on probable cause, Mr. Kowo was immediately released upon arrival at LNP Headquarters. However, the manner in which the arrest was executed has understandably drawn public attention.
“In response, the Inspector General of Police has directed the Professional Standards Division to review video evidence and other relevant details of the incident. A thorough inquiry into the use of force will be conducted, and upon completion, the findings will be made public,” the LNP statement says.
It continues, “As we continue to uphold law and order, the LNP reminds all citizens of their responsibility to abide by the law and cooperate with law enforcement officials. The collective commitment of every citizen is essential in maintaining peace and ensuring public safety.”
Concluding, the LNP says it remains focused on ensuring accountability and urges the public to seek accurate information regarding this matter.
