The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) says it categorically rejects the allegations made by Hassan Fadiga, former Deputy Director of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) who is currently under investigation by the Liberia National Police for using pepper spray on an AFL personnel and wounding him with an open handcuff.
Fadiga has accused an AFL soldier of attacking him, with the intention of harming him, for which he defended himself.
However, an AFL press release has described Fadiga’s claims as completely unfounded and served only to mislead the public. “The AFL operates under the rule of law and maintains a commitment to the safety and security of all citizens, including individuals who are under investigation,” the release stated.
“We take such claims seriously and want to assure the public that there is no basis for Fadiga’s statements. Our focus remains on upholding justice and ensuring that the rights of all individuals are respected. We encourage the public to remain informed through credible sources and to refrain from spreading misinformation that could undermine the integrity of our armed forces and the justice system,” the release noted.
The release explained, “On Friday, February 21, 2025 at about 1700hrs, Staff Sergeant Joseph Broh of 2 Battalion 23 Infantry Brigade sustained an injury on his right hand below his wrist. Sergeant Broh was driving a Nissan Primera, with plate number A116799, travelling from ELWA Junction towards VOA Community, Paynesville.
“At an intersection after Graystone Bricks Factory, Staff Sergeant Broh turned left at the intersection. A Renault Duster driven by one of the Fadigas with plate number A45903 was getting on the RIA Highway. At the intersection, one of the Fadigas insisted that Staff Sergeant Broh give him the right-of-way, though there was enough space as the road was not narrow. He aggressively insisted and insulted Staff Sergeant Broh, left the road and further asked him if he was stupid.”
The release said, “This led to an exchange of verbal insults, after which the Fadigas got out of their vehicle and walked towards Staff Sergeant Broh who was still seated in his car, and employed two large canisters of pepper spray each onto the face of Staff Sergeant Broh from the driver side window. Staff Sergeant Broh managed to get out of his vehicle in a self-defense mood and was attacked by one of the Fadigas with an opened handcuff below the right wrist, leading to him sustaining a punctured wound below his right wrist.
“This led Staff Sergeant Broh to place a call to his Command Sergeant Major for assistance. The Sergeant Major subsequently called an officer who immediately responded to the scene and called for an ambulance from the 14 Military Hospital.
According to the release, one of the Fadiga brothers placed a call and in response Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency personnel in uniform and some armed arrived on the scene in a pickup truck and tricycles. They were estimated to be around 25 to 30 personnel.
“The presence of LDEA personnel on the scene in response to a call placed by a civilian who is not in their chain of command is worrisome and creates a lot of doubts and questions about the employment and management of the LDEA,” the AFL release observed.
“Notwithstanding, the Military Police of the Armed Forces of Liberia, headed by its commander, was tasked to report to the scene and provide support to the Liberia National Police and make a follow-up on the case. The Police immediately took charge of the situation and requested that all parties involved with the incident be taken to the Zone 8 Police Station without the injured soldier who was undergoing treatment at the 14 Military Hospital.
“The Fadigas were allowed to drive in their vehicle to the Zone 8 Police Station. Unfortunately, at the Zone 8 Police Station, the Fadigas refused to cooperate with the police, especially refusing to provide a written statement to the investigators. This continued even after the person he claimed to be his lawyer arrived at the Zone 8 Police Station. Up till 1100hrs, there was no change in the situation, even after a series of calls made by senior officers from the AFL and the LNP.
“The Commanding General ordered the MP to return to EBK Barracks, as his visit to the Zone 8 Police Station to ascertain the progress of the police intervention was unfruitful. Staff Sergeant Joseph Broh was discharged after receiving emergency treatment and a medical test for drugs and alcohol was done, which came out negative,” the release continued.
The AFL said the soldiers will be made available when the police are ready to investigate the matter.
However, Hassan Fadiga is claiming that the AFL is falsely accusing him of stabbing an AFL soldier and using LDEA agents to attack him, but unfortunately they have refused to bring the soldier in for questioning.
According to Fadiga, the man that the AFL accused him of stabbing has not filed any complaint against him. “Liberia is my country, and nobody can intimidate me to return to the US. I will stay here to help change this country,” Fadiga said.
Fadiga noted he is not a violent person, and that he was only defending himself. “I don’t have a handcuff. I had a brand-new gold costume-made handcuff and I gifted it to the new LDEA boss. They said I stabbed someone, but the press release said I used handcuff to assault the AFL officer,” he noted.