At Ministry of Transport:
Police ‘Brutality’ Sparks Outrage
By Godgift Harris
What began as a peaceful protest by employees of the Ministry of Transport (MoT) on Thursday, July 10, 2025, quickly descended into violence.
The dram turned into violence activities came after officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) allegedly brutalized several staff members.
The staffers were reportedly expressing their disapproval over a controversial agreement between the government and a foreign firm, under the guise of Liberia Traffic Management (LTM).
Eyewitnesses accounts confirmed injured protesters affected by alleged police officers claiming to have acted on the reportedly acting on the orders of LNP Inspector General, Gregory Coleman, to use excessive force to disperse the demonstrating workers.
The protest, held within the premise of the MoT in central Monrovia, was in opposition to the government’s decision to outsource key public functions.
The functions are such as vehicle registration and licensing to LTM a foreign-owned entity.
Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, accusing the government of compromising the country’s sovereignty and transferring vital national revenue sources to private foreign hands.
“This is a sellout,” cried one protester. “You cannot hand over our national resources like that.”
At the center of the protest is a deal that, according to the employees, allows LTM to remit a US$4 million annually to the government; a figure that the workers insist, falls far below the true revenue potential of the transport sector.
“We can raise more than US$4 million in just three months,” said a protesting employee, who requested anonymity.
“This deal is not for the country; it is for the pockets of a few individuals in high positions that are facilitating it.”
According to those who opposed the agreement, the foreign firm will gain full control of all income generated from vehicle registration, licensing,
And traffic-related services areas traditionally handled by the MoT and believed to be essential to national development.
“This is not just about business,” said another worker, but about control, sovereignty, and the long-term implications for our country.”
The controversy began early Thursday morning as news of the planned sit-in circulated.
Dozens of LNP officers were deployed around the ministry premises to prevent any act of violence.
As workers began voicing their discontent, they called for the revocation of the deal, the situation quickly escalated to the extent that LNP were positioned.
Other eyewitnesses spoke of officers using batons without warning to break up the protest, thus leaving numerous employees injured.
“It was brutal,” recounted a ministry worker limping from a swollen leg. “We were unarmed and peaceful.
The next thing we knew, they were swinging sticks and hitting people without mercy.”
Video footage circulating on social media showed officers physically assaulting unarmed protesters, prompting a swift and angry response from the public.
Human rights advocates and civil society groups have condemned the police’s actions and are now demanding an independent investigation into the use of force.
Some of the protesting workers were reportedly arrested and taken to the LNP Headquarters.
In a dramatic twist, House Speaker Richard Koon, listened to the protesting workers’ grievances. Koon later took some of the aggrieved protesters to his office for further dialogue.
The LNP has also not responded to allegations of police brutality, adding to mounting frustration from the injured protestors.