IPNEWS: Police Inspector-General Col. Gregory O. W. COLEMAN, has refuted claims that ‘Live bullets’ were fire during Tuesday’s ‘𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧’ protest.
Addressing the media late Tuesday evening in the wake of claims and counterclaims that ‘Live bullets’ were used on peaceful protesters, Col. Coleman stated that there was no need for the use ‘Live bullets’, as there are several layers of engagements which necessitate use of lethal weapon and the scene on Tuesday, December 17, protest did not ‘Necessitate’ the use of ‘Live bullets’.
Police Inspector General also clarified that there has been no arrest of more then 70 protesters alleged by the chairman of the ‘𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧’, Janjay Baikpah.
“There were no live bullets and we made seventy (70) arrests”, Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman disclosed while addressing the media following the chaotic riots at Capitol Hill.
Earlier in on Tuesday, December 17, hours after calm was restored to Capitol Hill, the Government of Liberia denied reports that there was ‘no live bullets used by officers of the Liberia National Police during the protest.
In a statement issued in Monrovia, Information Minister, 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐢𝐚𝐡, stated that there no were fired during protest staged by some Liberians around the Capitol Building on Tuesday as reported by some media entities.
“As far as the Government is aware and based on briefings from the Joint Security, law enforcement forces employed only non-lethal force to disperse protesters who were blocking the free flow of vehicular traffic and movements, not heeding police instructions, on the Capitol Bye-pass main road, around the seat of the National Legislature.”
“While the Government fully respects the rights of citizens to protest, such action must be exercised without violating the rights of others. Responsibly within its powers, the Government assures it will protect the peace, lives and properties of citizens and residents alike and calls on the public to go about their normal activities.” Information Minister 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐢𝐚𝐡 stated.
The government clarification came in the wake of mounting criticism of his handing in the through the use of ‘excessive force’ during a peaceful protest held by the Concern Citizen Movement for the Protection of Constitution, and the Rule of Law in Liberia’.
Leaders of the ‘𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧’ Protest, maintains that ‘Live bullets’ were used during a peaceful protest which later turned violent on Capitol Hill.
IPNEWS Reporter covering the protest report that the protest turned Violent after protesters led by Districts No. 9&10 Representatives Frank Saah Forko and Yekeh Kulubah encountered officers of the Liberia National Police en- route to the main entrance of the capitol building, housing both the premises of the Executive Mansion and the Temple of Justice.
The protesters broke through the ranks of security blockage prompting heavy police force with protesters running in confused direction forcing many along the Jallah’s Town belt which led to an Officer of the LNP badly beaten and arm taken away.
The chairman of the Concerned Citizens for the Protection of Constitution, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, Janjay Baikpah, at a late post-protest Press conference condemned the use of ‘lethal weapon’ against peaceful protesters and called for an immediate stepdown ‘Boakai-Koung’ campaign.
Baikpah told news men at a hurriedly arranged press conference that at least 75 peaceful protesters were arrested and are now being detained at various locations including the Monrovia Central Prison.
He stated that mobilization for the ‘Boakai-Koung’ stepdown campaign has now begun across the country, stressing that the stepdown campaign is no negotiable.
Among those detained is former presidential Aide to former President George Manneh Weah, Sekou Kalasco Damaro, and 14 other protesters who spent their first night at the Monrovia Central Prison on charges of ‘obstructing Highways and other Passengers, Physical Obstruction of Government function, Aggravated Assault, criminal Mischief, Thieft of Property and Disorderly conduct’.
In the aftermath of claims and counterclaims, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. Johnathan Fonati Koffa posted: “The right of citizens to peacefully assemble is cardinal. The use of force cannot be callous. Peace is better than war, because life is better than death.”
“ “There were no live bullets and we made seventy (70) arrests”, Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman disclosed while addressing the media following the chaotic riots at Capitol Hill.”
Margibi county Senator Nathaniel Fallo McGill further burgess Speaker Koffa concerns sighting that : “It saddens me to hear that live bullets are being used against peaceful protestors who have gathered to speak out against societal ills. This is unacceptable and must be condemned by all well-meaning citizens. Such actions undermine the very principles of democracy and freedom of expression.”
“We call on the international community to take due note of these violations and ensure that the rights of citizens to peacefully assemble and express themselves are safeguarded.
At the same time, we urge the government, as the superseding authority, to prioritize dialogue with its citizens and fulfill its responsibility to protect the peace. Liberia cannot afford to regress into its ugly past.”
