Liberia: Boakai Unharmed in Embarrassing Security Breach at UMU Graduation

The Executive Protection Service (EPS) suffered an embarrassing security breach, rendering President Joseph Nyuma Boakai completely exposed when a man penetrated their shield and reached for the chest of the president.

The President, who had gone to grace the 19th commencement convocation of the United Methodist University on Tuesday, January 30, in Dormah Town, Margibi County, was greeting the leadership of the university when a man penetrated the EPS shield guarding the President and nearly knocked him over.

The incident was captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media and traditional media platforms. The unknown individual, whose face is not shown in the video, wore a white long-sleeve shirt and grabbed the President’s chest from behind.

The security breach has raised concerns among Liberians who have questioned the efficacy of security measures for the country's leader.

The Executive Mansion acknowledged that there was a security breach as an intruder attempted to get hold of the President.

Presidential Press Secretary Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana Press Secretary Fofana assured the public that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. She stated that both the Executive Protective Service and the Liberia National Police are actively investigating the situation to prevent any future security breaches.

“There was a breach involving an individual who appeared to be intoxicated and the Executive Protective Service is investigating the incident to prevent any future breach of security,” Fofana said. 

Despite the incident, President Boakai continued with all the planned activities for which he was invited by the university administration. The incident has sparked public debate, with some suggesting the need for an immediate change in the President’s security detail.

Liberians are expressing concerns about how the intruder managed to get so close to the President and what their motive may have been.

Journalist Massa Kanneh-Telleh has called for answers regarding the security protocols and the whereabouts of the person involved.

“I’m wondering who and how he got that close to the president. What was the intent and where is the person currently? They need to answer these questions,” Kanneh-Telleh, OK FM Judicial reporter said.

For Meahkeeh Sendolo, a veteran journalist, the security guarding the president must be changed, as they cannot be trusted.

“This is concerning! How on earth did the securities even let him go? From where did he come? What if it was something else other than what that person did?” Tomreen Kennedy, a broadcast journalist, wondered.

Meanwhile, as the investigation unfolds, it is expected that further details will emerge regarding the incident and the measures that will be taken to prevent similar security breaches in the future.