By Seltue Karweaye Sr.
The recent Liberia Human Rights Report underscores the well-known poor human rights record of the Liberian government and the increasingly troubling daily experiences of its citizens. The report outlines several significant cases of rights abuses, including arbitrary killings by police, arbitrary detention by government officials, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, serious issues regarding the independence of the judiciary, substantial restrictions on free expression and the press (including website blocking), official corruption, and a lack of accountability in cases of violence against women. This includes the government’s inaction in instances of rape, domestic violence, and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Additionally, the report highlights trafficking in persons, the existence of laws that criminalize consensual same-sex conduct between adults, and the use of forced or compulsory child labor.
The recent tragic killing of a 22-year-old fisherman named “Favor” on Gbanjor Beach, located in the Bokon Community of Lower Virginia, has raised serious alarms about the conduct of Police officers in Liberia. On February 12, 2025, around 5:00 PM, off-duty police officer Boima Massaley, who is affiliated with the Police Support Unit (PSU), was enjoying a day at the beach with his girlfriend and her friends when he noticed Favor and his companions smoking marijuana.
Eyewitness testimonies reveal that Officer Boima Massaley approached a group of three to four young men on Gbanjor Beach with a noticeably aggressive demeanor, attempting to instill fear within them. As he brandished his firearm, the young men, sensing imminent danger, hurriedly began to flee the area to escape. In a shocking turn of events, Officer Massaley discharged his weapon several times in their direction. Tragically, one of the bullets struck a young man named Favor, who fell to the ground on the beach but was pronounced dead at the scene.
The news of Favor’s fatal shooting by Officer Massaley spread swiftly throughout the community, igniting outrage and confusion among residents. Many community members expressed concerns, alleging that Officer Massaley had been known to openly carry his firearm even while off duty, creating a climate of fear among the citizens. This incident has raised significant alarm regarding extrajudicial killings and highlights a disturbing trend of law enforcement’s apparent disregard for fundamental rights, particularly the right to life and the right to a fair hearing.
Moreover, witnesses have noted that beyond their initial act of running, there is no credible evidence indicating that the young men were armed or had engaged in any verbal confrontation with Officer Massaley before his gunfire. The close-range shots fired by Officer Massaley further compounded the tragic nature of this incident and underscored the severity of the situation, ultimately resulting in the untimely death of “Favor. ” The community is now left grappling with the implications of this event and demanding accountability and justice for the young man.
Following the incident, members of the community intervened and disarmed Officer Massaley as he attempted to escape. By departmental protocols, he was placed on administrative leave by the Liberia National Police while a thorough investigation was underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Regrettably, this incident is not an isolated case in Gbanjor, Lower Virginia. There is a troubling history of violence involving police officers in Gbanjor, Lower Virginia. On August 4, 2024, at approximately 9:00 PM, another shooting incident occurred at the Gbanjor Gas Station. A confrontation between Police Inspector Fayiah and a resident, Mr. Mohammed, escalated when Inspector Fayiah discharged his firearm during the altercation. Mr. Mohammed was critically injured and rushed to a nearby medical facility, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Police Inspector Gary Coleman confirmed during a press conference that Officer Fayiah was in illegal possession of a firearm at the time of the incident. Following standard procedure, Inspector Fayiah was taken into custody at the Central CSD, awaiting the results of an ongoing investigation into this deadly encounter. These incidents highlight the urgent need for accountability and reform within the police force to prevent any further loss of life.
The issue of power abuse and human rights violations remains a profound challenge in Liberia, prevalent under both military and democratic regimes. One of the most egregious manifestations of police power abuse is extrajudicial killing, often referred to as extralegal killing. The United Nations defines extrajudicial killing as “the deprivation of life without full judicial and legal process, and with the involvement, complicity, tolerance, or acquiescence of the government or its agents.” This definition underscores the responsibility of state actors in these unlawful actions, highlighting the systemic failures within the justice system.
Extrajudicial killings are not only unconstitutional and illegal but also represent a significant breach of human rights, particularly the fundamental right to life. These acts involve the state’s agents—most notably police officers—illegally terminating the lives of individuals, often without any due process or accountability. In Western societies, the right to life is considered paramount, embodied by the belief that “one life lost is indeed too many.” Conversely, in Liberia and other African contexts, there is an unsettling notion that “many lives lost mean little or nothing,” particularly when the victims are unknown to the perpetrators. This chilling perception reflects a deeper societal desensitization to violence and death.
Culturally, Liberians often place a strong emphasis on commemorating death through elaborate and costly funeral ceremonies, which can overshadow the celebration of life itself. This unique social practice may stem from historical and cultural contexts that prioritize ancestral reverence over contemporary existence.
Moreover, the dynamic of power in Liberia reveals a delicate balance between exercise and abuse. The potential for power to be misused is evident but equally concerning is the failure to wield that power judiciously, particularly in situations that demand intervention or protection. Consequently, this dual nature of power—the propensity for both its application and neglect—creates a complex landscape where the rights and dignity of individuals can be easily compromised. Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a society grounded in respect for human rights and the rule of law.
The Liberia National Police (LNP), like law enforcement agencies globally, is endowed with significant powers derived from the Constitution as well as various statutes and legislative acts. These powers encompass critical responsibilities such as crime prevention, the maintenance of public order, and the protection of lives and property. However, in practice, the exercise of these powers often strays beyond legal and ethical boundaries. This is evident in instances of unlawful arrests and detentions, police brutality, corruption, and serious violations of fundamental human rights, including the right to life and the right to a fair hearing.
Notably, the tragic cases of Mr. Mohammed and the young man known as “Favor” highlight a disturbing trend of police abuse of power, particularly relating to extrajudicial killings. These incidents reveal a concerning pattern where officers of the LNP tend to over-assert their authority, frequently opting for maximum, excessive, or even lethal force, in stark contrast to the norm of employing minimum force that is typically upheld in Western democracies.
These alarming practices underscore an urgent need for a comprehensive reorientation of the police force in Liberia. Implementing rigorous training and retraining programs for officers is essential to instill a deep understanding of the ethical responsibilities associated with policing. Officers must be thoroughly educated on the critical importance of upholding the rule of law, ensuring the protection of lives and property, and respecting the rights of all individuals—including the right to a fair trial—as opposed to engaging in arbitrary justice or summary executions.
Furthermore, the situation in which the police assume multiple roles—acting as investigator, prosecutor, judge, and executioner—poses a grave threat to the integrity of the criminal justice system. It creates an environment where abuses of power can flourish unchecked.
In particular, the case involving Police Officer Boima Massaley of the Police Support Unit (PSU), who was implicated in the killing of the young man referred to as “Favor,” calls for immediate action. Prosecuting Officer Massaley is imperative to demonstrate a commitment to accountability and to deter similar misconduct within the police ranks. This serves not only as a warning to current officers but also as a critical step toward rebuilding public trust in law enforcement and affirming the importance of justice and human rights in Liberia. I rest my pen.
