The Liberian Investigator, a media entity in Liberia, has reported a severe attack on one of its reporters who was assigned to cover Tuesday’s protest on Capitol Hill.
According to the institution, an Executive Protection Service (EPS) officer violently assaulted Journalist Blamo N. Toe and targeted other journalists during a chaotic scene on Tuesday on Capitol Hill.
The incident unfolded as reporters, including Journalist Toe, gathered outside the Executive Mansion and Capitol Building to provide media coverage of an ongoing protest dubbed “White Tuesday,” led by former Grand Bassa County Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh. Simultaneously, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai was at the Capitol to sign a book of condolence for the late John Gray, former Vice President and Senator of Grand Cape Mount County.
While attempting to secure a suitable vintage point for coverage of the President’s arrival, The Liberian Investigator said an unidentified EPS agent harshly intercepted Journalist Toe. According to an entity, despite repeatedly identifying himself as a journalist on official duty and pleading to join his colleagues, the agent aggressively obstructed him, interrupting his live broadcast on The Liberian Investigator’s Facebook page.
“In a display of excessive force, the EPS officer physically assaulted Journalist Toe, grabbing him by the neck and injuring his finger. The unprovoked aggression was captured on live video, showing the agent’s unrelenting hostility despite intervention from other EPS officers attempting to de-escalate the situation.”, The Liberian Investigator stated.
In its reportage, the outlet mentioned that the EPS agent escalated the ordeal by targeting another journalist, Aloysius Nuch Jallah of Jallah TV. The violent encounters prompted other journalists at the scene to intervene and rescue their colleagues, as the agent’s overzealous and aggressive posture persisted.
“The incident occurred in the full view of Liberia National Police (LNP) Spokesperson Cecelia Clarke, other EPS agents, and public members. Madam Clarke was later seen appealing to Journalist Toe to move past the incident and resume his duties, while efforts to identify the perpetrating officer did not materialize.”
