––Calls for Swift Investigation and Child Protection
By: Andrew B Weah, andrewbweah@gmail.com, 0770637216/0886429103
IPNEWS: The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) has expressed grave concern over disturbing reports alleging that a staff member of the National Security Agency (NSA) sodomized a fifteen-year-old boy.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry unequivocally condemned the alleged act, describing any form of sexual violence or abuse against children as abhorrent and unacceptable. The MGCSP stressed that such actions constitute a gross violation of the Children’s Law of Liberia, the Penal Law, and international child protection instruments to which Liberia is a signatory.
“Sexual abuse of a minor is a serious crime that inflicts lasting physical, psychological, and emotional harm on victims and erodes the moral fabric of our society,” the statement noted.
The Ministry has called on relevant law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial, and expedited investigation to establish the facts surrounding the allegation and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the law.
Emphasizing the welfare of the child, the MGCSP underscored the urgent need to guarantee the victim’s safety, access to medical care, psychosocial support, and legal protection. The Ministry further stressed that the identity and privacy of the child must be protected at all times, in line with national laws and international child protection best practices.
The Ministry also urged all institutions—including security agencies, parents, guardians, community leaders, and the general public—to cooperate fully with authorities and remain vigilant in reporting cases of child abuse and exploitation.
Reaffirming its mandate, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence and pledged to continue working closely with national and international partners to strengthen prevention, response mechanisms, and accountability for crimes against children.
Meanwhile, the National Security Agency (NSA) has suspended Peter Bon Jallah, Special Assistant to NSA Director Maj. Gen. Prince C. Johnson, following allegations that he and two unidentified men gang-sodomized a 15-year-old boy in the Sinkor area of Monrovia in late December 2025.
The allegation has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of misconduct within Liberia’s security establishment.
Jallah was arrested and placed in custody at Liberia National Police (LNP) headquarters on Tuesday after the victim’s family reported the alleged assault, prompting a criminal investigation. Jallah is among the longest-serving employees at the NSA, having served the institution for over 20 years.
Relatives say the victim, a community-based soccer player, was found in critical condition near a beach area in Sinkor on Saturday, January 3, and remains hospitalized receiving medical treatment. The teenager reportedly identified Jallah and two other men to health workers and police as those who allegedly assaulted him.
Sources within the NSA, speaking on condition of anonymity, told FrontPageAfrica on Thursday that Director Prince C. Johnson ordered Jallah’s immediate suspension during the ongoing police investigation.
However, despite confirming Jallah’s arrest and suspension, neither the NSA nor the Liberia National Police has issued an official public statement on the case up to the time of publication.
The silence surrounding an allegation involving a senior security official has fueled concern among civil society groups and human rights advocates, who fear a potential cover-up or preferential treatment for individuals linked to power. Advocates note, however, that child-protection laws require confidentiality in cases involving minors.
Alleged Luring of Victim
According to the victim’s relatives, the teenager was allegedly lured with a promise of football boots, a gesture they believe was used to gain his trust before the alleged assault occurred.
Many Liberians have expressed alarm over the lack of public communication from the country’s leading security institutions, insisting that transparency and timely updates are essential to maintaining confidence in law enforcement and the rule of law.
Broader Scrutiny of the NSA
Critics argue that the case reflects deeper concerns about professionalism and accountability within the NSA and other security agencies, even as the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has pledged institutional reform.
Since the early months of President Boakai’s tenure, the NSA has faced heightened scrutiny. In February 2024, the President ordered a General Auditing Commission (GAC) audit of the agency as part of broader transparency reforms.
In January 2025, the NSA also publicly demanded the return of official property from an assistant director following a controversial public appearance, raising questions about internal discipline and protocol.
Human rights organizations have further documented allegations of torture, coercive interrogations, and mistreatment of detainees by NSA operatives, particularly during investigations following the December 2024 Capitol Building fire. Detainees in that case alleged severe beatings and abuse while in NSA custody.
Calls for Accountability
Observers say these episodes—from administrative lapses to serious human rights allegations—have eroded public trust in the NSA’s ability to uphold professionalism, especially when senior figures are implicated in grave allegations.
The handling of the Jallah case, analysts say, will serve as a critical test of the government’s commitment to accountability—not only for an individual suspect, but for a powerful security institution charged with safeguarding national stability and public safety.
All allegations remain unproven and subject to judicial determination.
