MONROVIA – A video that went viral on Facebook on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, has sparked nationwide outrage after showing two officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) physically assaulting an alleged female drug suspect. The footage, which clearly depicts one officer slapping the woman during what appeared to be an arrest, has raised serious concerns about excessive use of force and respect for citizens’ rights under Liberian law.
The video’s rapid spread across social media platforms triggered widespread condemnation from members of the public, many of whom questioned why a suspect who appeared unarmed and non-resistant was subjected to violence. The incident has intensified scrutiny of law enforcement conduct, particularly within agencies tasked with drug control and public safety.
In response to the public backlash, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency issued an official statement condemning the actions of the officers involved. The LDEA identified the officers as Solomon Gbondo and Faith Willie and described their behavior as completely unacceptable and in direct violation of the agency’s Code of Conduct, which strictly prohibits assault, abuse, or inhumane treatment of any suspect.
According to the LDEA, the two officers have been immediately disrobed and turned over to the Board of Internal Inquiry and Professional Standards (BIIPS) for investigation. The agency stated that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken based on the outcome of the inquiry, emphasizing that misconduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The LDEA further distanced itself from the incident, warning all officers against abusing the authority entrusted to them. It stressed that there is absolutely no room for abuse of power within the agency and that any officer found engaging in similar acts will face the full weight of the law.
While reaffirming its commitment to professional and lawful drug enforcement, the agency urged the public to continue supporting the fight against drug trafficking. Citizens were encouraged to report suspicious activities through the LDEA’s official hotlines: 0777-133-333 and 0888-133-333.
The incident has continued to attract intense criticism on Facebook and other platforms, with many Liberians insisting that suspects, regardless of the allegations against them, must be treated with dignity and afforded due process. Commentators stressed that arrests should lead to proper legal proceedings, not violence, and warned that such actions risk undermining public confidence in state institutions.
Beyond public outrage, the case has now drawn the attention of the national legislature. Montserrado County District #3 Representative Sumo Mulbah has called for immediate legislative action, warning that unchecked brutality by security officers threatens both public trust and the rule of law.
In a formal communication to the House of Representatives plenary, Representative Mulbah condemned what he described as the continued and unacceptable use of violence by some LDEA officers. He cited the viral video as evidence of a troubling pattern of misconduct rather than an isolated incident.
The lawmaker urged the House to summon the leadership of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency to explain the alleged “barbaric behaviors” displayed by some of its officers. He called for accountability for those responsible and pushed for concrete institutional reforms to prevent future abuses, stressing that Liberia’s legal framework exists to protect citizens’ rights while clearly defining the limits of law enforcement authority.
