The Liberia National Police (LNP) is at the receiving end of harsh criticisms amid the standoff with Solidarity Trust for a New Day (STAND) Chairman, Mulbah Morlu.
Morlu and the LNP are locked in words of war over the seizure of a pistol by someone the former said was planted by state actors among protesters to paint them black.
Denying Morlu claims, police in a statement said the pistol in question was seized from one of its officers assigned to the protest, and urged him to turn the pistol over to the LNP – a call Morlu has resisted, saying he would only turn the pistol over to international investigators.
However, Hassan Fadiga, former Deputy Director of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) urged the LNP to ensure the deescalation of the standoff with Morlu.
He warned in a social media post against allowing the situation to spiral into violence, criticizing the police for issuing a press release he says is “sensationalized and unnecessarily inflammatory.”
Fadiga called on the LNP to instead to prioritize a peaceful resolution of the situation, cautioning that escalating tensions could result in unnecessary injuries or loss of life.
In his post, he said “The LNP must immediately de-escalate the situation between itself and Mr. Morlu before it results in an unnecessary act of violence leading to injury or loss of life.”
While acknowledging that Morlu’s conduct may be viewed as “frustrating and rebellious,” Fadiga argued that there is no indication he poses an imminent threat to law enforcement officers or the public.
“As frustrating and rebellious as Mr. Morlu’s conduct may be, he does not appear to pose an imminent threat to law enforcement or the public,” he stated.
Fadiga further emphasized that the reported possibility of Morlu possessing a firearm should not, by itself, be used to justify the use of force.
“The use of force should not be justified solely on the assertion that he may possess a firearm. Every effort should be made to resolve this matter peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law,” he added.
His comments come amid heightened public attention surrounding the ongoing dispute between the Liberia National Police and Morlu, with growing calls for restraint and adherence to due process.
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