Monrovia — --Say CDCians stole money and phones during a violent protest
The police clarified that there were no fatalities but confirmed that some non-protesters were also receiving medical treatment along with the two injured officers after the CDC violent protest.
The Liberian National Police (LNP) has accused opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) protesters of assaulting its officers and stealing their money and phones during a violent protest last week.
During a press briefing this week, the police authorities said officers Augustine Jahpoh and Jallah Massaquoi were among those who suffered physical assaults, and the protesters reportedly stole their cell phones, money, and uniforms.
The LNP provided a detailed account of the violence and disorder that occurred during a recent protest at the former ruling party's headquarters in Monrovia.
The violence erupted after police were deployed to clear a roadblock that had been set by people believed to be supporters of the CDC.
The roadblock and lighting of tires on the main streets followed a resistance against a raid that was to be executed by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) on a target in the Small Town Community, a neighborhood of the CDC headquarters.
The police said several peaceful bystanders were beaten during the incident. Despite the violence, the police reported that no fatalities were reported, and there was no breach of the CDC party headquarters.
Addressed the media at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) on Capital Hill, Police Deputy Inspector General for Administration Col. William K. Mulbah detailed that some drivers reported that their vehicles were damaged.
Col. Mulbah recalled that around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday of last week, the police received a report that unknown assailants had attacked officers on Tubman Boulevard.
Following the report, he indicated that a response team was dispatched and confirmed that two officers of the LDEA, including Jahpoh and Massaquoi, had been assaulted and their possessions taken.
Upon their arrival on the scene, Col. Mulbah disclosed that the police found out that stones had been thrown, and several police vehicles and cars were damaged.
During the briefing, the police presented images of the injured officers and lamented that there was no concern about the whereabouts of the attackers.
Instead, the police found that the focus had been on the number of protesters who were injured or allegedly killed.
The police clarified that there were no fatalities but confirmed that some non-protesters were also receiving medical treatment along with the two injured officers.
He further revealed that several drivers, including one Mohamed Massalay, reported that their vehicles were damaged while heading towards Redlight, Paynesville.
However, Mulbah noted that the unrest began when the protesters, reportedly associated with the CDC, overpowered officers who were conducting a raid in a slum community near Benard Beach.
He narrated that the protesters began throwing stones and setting up roadblocks as the officers carrying out the raid retreated to the Emergency Response Unity (ERU) base around the Invincible Eleven Sports Park to monitor the situation.
"When we were informed that those who had attacked the officers, including Jahpoh and Massalay, had retreated back into the CDC headquarters, in response, we returned to our command center near the Invincible Eleven Sports Park to monitor the situation," said Col. Mulbah.
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As the situation escalated, he explained that the protesters re-emerged, setting up additional roadblocks and continuing to throw stones.
This resulted in further damage to vehicles and approximately 16 people being wounded.
Due to the threat posed by the protesters and the damages they had already caused, Col. Mulbah indicated that the police were prompted to intervene to restore order and ensure the free flow of traffic.
Following the intervention, a police team was stationed at the site to monitor the ongoing situation.
Mulbah assured that the LNP remains committed to maintaining professionalism and serving all citizens impartially, regardless of their affiliations.
At the press briefing, LDEA officials similarly narrated what the police stated, citing officers' injuries and the disorder witnessed after their operation had been resisted.
