–Morlu Attributes Statement To Deputy LNP IG Freeman
–But Police Refutes Allegation
The National Chairman of the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) and former Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Mulbah K. Morlu, Jr., has accused officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) of violating the rights of motorcyclists and engaging in alleged “hit and kill”.
Morlu claimed that barely 48 hours after the Deputy Police Director for Operation (102), Nelson Freeman, right on the premises of the Supreme Court, threatened to “hit and kill” motorbike and “keke” riders, his lethal and brutal promise appears to be unfolding. He said despite his denial, Freeman went even further to warn bike riders, “Your get ready to bury more cyclists!”
He further claimed that, true to Freeman’s words, an innocent motorbike rider was allegedly hit and killed a on Wednesday by police near SATCOM’s office in Congo Town, Monrovia. “Though the victim is presumed dead, but in the attached video, eyewitnesses can be heard saying, ‘He’s still breathing,’ as the victim was being taken away. The police, who took him, must provide further details,” Morlu later clarified.
Morlu warned, “While we continue to call on bike and keke riders to remain peaceful, the police’s use of unprovoked violence is escalating. They are enforcing and expanding illegal restrictions even before the Supreme Court’s ruling, exactly as they had promised, challenging the authority of the high court.”
According to him, the fact that the police (under Inspector General Coleman and his violence-prone deputy) have become a clear and present danger to the safety of ordinary citizens signals a serious threat to national security. “Yet, these lawless officers answer to President Boakai, and his silence in the face of their brutality against unarmed civilians places the blame squarely on his shoulders.
“We hope and pray that this innocent victim of police violence survives. If not, President Boakai’s hands will remain stained with the blood of innocent citizens being murdered by his police authorities,” Morlu asserted.
However, The Liberia National Police (LNP) has categorically refuted Morlu’s allegation regarding Deputy IG Freeman threatening to “hit and kill bike riders”, describing the allegations as baseless and inflammatory. The LNP said the allegations are not only false but also deeply irresponsible.
The LNP underscored that it remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, including bike and “keke” riders. “Cllr. Freeman has consistently demonstrated professionalism and dedication to fostering peace and order in our communities. Any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine the integrity of the LNP,” the police clarified.
The LNP emphasized that it is a professional institution that values the rights and dignity of every Liberian, and urged the public to exercise caution and verify information before accepting or spreading unsubstantiated claims.
“We encourage anyone with credible evidence of misconduct to come forward through the appropriate channels. Let us work together to build a safer and more united Liberia,” the LNP observed in a press statement.
The LNP further refuted the the claim that a police-marked vehicle struck and killed a motorcyclist near the SATCON headquarters in Congo Town on Wednesday.
“At no point did an LNP vehicle hit or kill a motorcyclist, contrary to the misinformation being widely shared online. The individual in question, identified as Jerry Kollie, a resident of Parco Island, was operating his motorcycle in a restricted area, commonly referred to as ‘No-Go Zone’. Upon noticing the police-marked vehicle, he attempted to flee but instead collided with a taxi, sustaining injuries. He is currently receiving medical treatment at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital,” the LNP added.
In a related development, the Head of the Supreme Motorcycle Transport, Trokon Gray, has disclosed that, in an effort to address and ultimately lift the unconventional restrictions placed on motorcyclists across the country, he held a crucial meeting with the ECOWAS Special Representative to Liberia, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at her ECOWAS Commission’s in Congo Town.
“During the meeting, we engaged Ambassador Nkrumah on a wide range of critical issues affecting our sector. These included the on-going restrictions imposed on our cyclists, human rights violations, incidents of police brutality, and life-threatening actions allegedly carried out by the Director of Police and some of his deputies.
“We also discussed the broader security implications, economic impact, and how these issues affect peace and stability, not only in Liberia but across the region. Moreover, we emphasized the vital role our cyclists play in the nation’s economy and development,” Gray noted.
He stated that they remain hopeful that this engagement will yield positive results and that meaningful steps will be taken toward improving the working environment of cyclists and ultimately lifting the existing bans on them.
