Monrovia – In the space of just 24 hours, the Liberia National Police (LNP) swung from pledging a full investigation into the alleged forceful removal of a Muslim woman’s hijab to declaring that no investigation was necessary because “the video is clear.”
By Selma Lomax [email protected] and Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The incident, captured in a viral video and involving a visibly distressed woman resisting arrest while clutching her child, has ignited deep religious, cultural, and political tensions in the capital and beyond.
On Wednesday, July 23, a confrontation between police officers — accompanying a team from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) on a power theft probe — and a woman later identified as Zainab Bah escalated into a chaotic scuffle. In the video, Zainab is seen throwing chair and what appeared to be soup at one of the officers before being overpowered.
Her hijab is forcibly pulled off in the process, sparking immediate backlash from the country’s Muslim community. The moment, seen by thousands online, has come to symbolize more than just a botched arrest — it has become a rallying cry for justice, dignity, and respect for religious identity.
Initially, the Inspector General of Police, Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman, took a reconciliatory tone in a press release issued Wednesday evening, promising swift action. “We promise you of a very, very swift and speedy investigation and that report will be made to the public in no time,” Coleman stated.
“We commit to the protection of each and every human being within this country regardless of your tradition, your tribe, political affiliation and whatever social status of the person. We apologize and we want to say that this investigation will be concluded. Once again, we condemn that action.”
But by Thursday, IG Coleman dramatically shifted his stance, dismissing the need for any investigation at all. “It is clear. It doesn’t require no investigation. The video shows the hijab being removed from the woman, and for that we want to say sorry,” he declared, while addressing a group of protesters. “Removing the hijab is equal to removing that woman’s clothes. As Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, while it is true that we investigate this matter 100 percent, it happened in plain view, it’s something that we can see. The woman hijab was removed. We are here to say that we are sorry. We also use this time to promise you that this action is not in line with the vision of the Liberia National Police, we condemn the act.”
The sudden reversal left many wondering whether the police leadership is acting from genuine concern or merely reacting to mounting public pressure. By Thursday morning, Carey Street in central Monrovia had transformed into a sea of hijabs, signs, and chants.
Dozens of Muslim women, some with tears streaming down their faces, gathered in peaceful protest demanding justice for Zainab. “Justice for Zainab!” they chanted, hoisting signs that read “Muslim Women Demand Justice” and “National Fula Governor Demands Accountability.”
“We are not against the law, but we demand respect for our faith,” one protester stated. “No man — especially an officer of the state — has the right to strip a woman of her dignity and religion.” The protest underscored the gravity of what the community views as not just an individual violation, but an institutional failure to respect religious norms.
The fallout has exposed deep divisions not only between the police and the Muslim community but within the broader Liberian public. Some view the officer’s actions as excessive and disrespectful; others defend them as necessary under the circumstances.
Cyrus Gorkpor, a Christian, sided with the protestors, condemning the officer’s conduct: “The Police officer was very ruthless, you could listen to the other lady saying to the officer ‘this woman na correct’ but still he continues to use extra force on her. I think this is very sad and it’s alarming from the LNP.”
Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh, a Muslim and former senatorial candidate of Montserrado County and an ambassador-at-large in the Boakai administration, took to Facebook to declare, “Injustice knows no tribe or race. Injustice to one is injustice to all. Zainab Bah deserves justice!”
But not all were sympathetic. Sam Doe, in defense of the officers, argued, “The Liberia National Police (LNP) must remain impartial and not be influenced by religious sentiments in this matter. The safety and authority of all officers must be protected at all times.”
He added, “Any attempt to discipline officers based solely on pressure from religious advocates, whether Muslim, Christian, or otherwise sets a dangerous precedence. It opens the door for various groups to use religion as a tool to undermine law enforcement. It is important to note that no true Muslim woman would conduct herself in such a manner in public. Muslim women are traditionally taught to respect authority and behave modestly at all times. Yes, the officers involved may have used excessive force in response to the individual’s behavior. This should be addressed internally through appropriate guidance and retraining to ensure better handling in future incidents. However, no police officer should be publicly humiliated or disrespected under the guise of religion. Let this situation serve as a reminder that respect for law enforcement is essential for national order, and the LNP must stand firm in upholding its integrity.”
“The IG should understand that the law is impartial to religion. If you break it, you must face consequences, no matter your religion or tribe,”said Frank Bishop Quiah, commenting on the Police statement.The officer, he said, did nothing wrong. An attempt for Gregory Coleman to suspend or fire the officer, there will be a serious protests across the country, said Frank Bishop Quiah.
He was backed by Stephen Crawford, and others who voiced concerns over perceived favoritism and rushed judgment.
Adding political fuel to the already combustible situation, Jefferson Koijee, Secretary General of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change, launched a scathing critique of IG Coleman’s leadership.
“The so-called press statement issued by the Liberia National Police regarding the disturbing abuse of Madam Zainab Bah is nothing but a flimsy, calculated cover-up issued after the damage has already been done. It is insulting to the intelligence of the Liberian people and to the dignity of the woman who was assaulted while carrying her child and stripped of her religious head covering (Hijab),” Koijee said.
“This is not an isolated mistake by a rogue officer. This is the direct reflection of the leadership style of IG Coleman. His legacy is littered with public humiliations, careless policing, and abuse of vulnerable citizens, especially women. Gregory Coleman doesn’t need an investigation to find out who trained his officers to behave this way — they are simply acting out the same humiliation and performative enforcement that their IG regularly displays. Just weeks ago, Coleman himself paraded a woman on social media, verbally degrading her in front of the nation, instead of addressing the matter privately like a professional. Now another woman is brutalized, this time in front of her child, and we’re told an ‘investigation’ will fix this. No investigation can undo the deep trauma, the public shame, and the cultural insult already inflicted. And no press statement can cover up what we all saw and already know: this is who Gregory Coleman is. This is how he operates. And this is what he promotes within the LNP,” he added.
Despite conflicting opinions and mounting political pressure, the Liberia National Police has reiterated its commitment to transparency, though it is unclear whether the previously promised investigation is still underway.
