Despite protests and pleas from the family, officers forced open the casket on the roadside, in full public view—an action that many described as deeply traumatizing and culturally insensitive.
Monrovia – Monrovia City Police on Thursday stopped a hearse and forcibly opened a casket carrying the remains of a deceased man en route to burial, citing heightened security concerns related to the ongoing “Enough is Enough” protest.
By Jaheim T. Tumu. [email protected]
The incident occurred near the University of Liberia campus on Capitol Hill and has drawn widespread condemnation, particularly from grieving family members who say the government’s tightened security measures are crossing the line into harassment and disrespect—even in death.
“We are disappointed. We had all the papers. They saw the death certificate, yet they still opened our father’s casket in front of everyone,” said one family member, visibly shaken with grief and anger.
City police officers, defending their actions, claimed they were under strict orders to inspect any suspicious transport entering the capital, especially in the wake of what they described as “intelligence reports” of possible weapons smuggling.
“We thought it could be a cache of weapons, so we had to check,” one officer said, justifying the controversial decision.
Despite protests and pleas from the family, officers forced open the casket on the roadside, in full public view—an action that many described as deeply traumatizing and culturally insensitive.
Riot police have begun test deployments across Capitol Hill, including water cannon trials and dispersal tactic rehearsals near the Executive Mansion and Capitol Building, signaling the government’s preparation for the mass demonstration.
The incident comes amid ongoing major protest organized by Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) and its affiliates under the theme “Enough is Enough.” Organizers have accused the Boakai-Koung administration of ignoring urgent national issues such as poverty, insecurity, and what they call “institutional arrogance” toward ordinary Liberians.
Meanwhile, riot police have begun test deployments across Capitol Hill, including water cannon trials and dispersal tactic rehearsals near the Executive Mansion and Capitol Building, signaling the government’s preparation for the mass demonstration.
The protest is expected to peak later today, with participants calling on President Boakai to receive their petition in person. As security intensifies, many are raising concerns about excessive force and civil rights violations under the guise of maintaining order.
