Commissioner Mohammed El-Dust Fahnbulleh of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) has issued a strongly written statement following public outcry over the alleged police brutality against Zainab Bah, a Fulani woman accused of power theft in Monrovia.
In a post shared Thursday evening, Atty. Fahnbulleh called the incident “a demonstration of lawlessness,” not on the part of the Liberia National Police (LNP), but by Bah, who he claims violently resisted arrest. He described the viral video footage being circulated online as selectively edited and accused some within the Muslim community of using the incident for political purposes.
“Those who edited the full video and only shared the portion showing the police’s action while concealing the lady’s attack are evil,” Fahnbulleh wrote. “They are enemies of peaceful coexistence and traitors to Islam.”
Footage of the arrest, which has circulated widely on social media, shows Bah visibly distressed, holding a baby, being dragged, stripped of her hijab, and manhandled by officers. The images sparked nationwide outrage and prompted a street protest on Thursday by Fulani women demanding justice and accountability.
Fahnbulleh, however, questioned the motives behind the outrage, calling on Muslim leaders to speak out against what he described as a clear act of lawlessness by Bah. “Attacking an officer in his uniform and disobeying lawful orders following the commission of an alleged crime is a serious offense,” he said, warning that failure to address such incidents truthfully sends a “wrong message” about the Muslim community.
He cited both Islamic principles and Liberian law in his defense of the police, referencing the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran to emphasize the importance of truthfulness and justice. “Islam is a religion of peace,” he noted, urging the public to seek facts rather than manipulate narratives for political or religious gain.
Fahnbulleh also urged the LNP to expedite its investigation into the matter and called for full disclosure on Bah’s nationality and legal status. “There are reports that she is not a Liberian Fula. If this is true, find out if she has a resident permit,” he stated.
Despite the disturbing footage, Fahnbulleh said he sees no human rights violation at this time, as the police have initiated an investigation. “Let us turn crisis into opportunities rather than exploiting the situation for political attention and gain,” he concluded.
The LNP has since apologized to the Fulani community, promised an impartial investigation into the matter.
