Liberia: House’s Security Committee to Brief Plenary on Presidential Security Breach

The National Security Committee of the House of Representatives is expected to present a comprehensive report to Plenary relating to an embarrassing security breach that rendered President Joseph Nyuma Boakai exposed to an attack by an unknown man.

The Executive Protection Service (EPS) suffered an embarrassing blunder on Tuesday, January 31. Members of the service’s security shield around the President were penetrated by the unknown man who 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 went 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 National legislature has since taken seizure of the matter and has since launched an independent investigation. The committee overseeing the probe is now set to make its findings known to the plenary of the House.

An excerpt of the report, of which a copy is in the possession of the Daily Observer, says, “Liberia’s topmost and elite security force, the Executive Protection Service (EPS), which is statutorily and entirely responsible for the presidential protection duties, embarrassingly failed to deter or clampdown an attack on President Joseph N. Boakai, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024,” the National Security Committee of the House of Representatives concluded in a report to be released today (Tuesday).
The report is under the signatures of the committee's chair, Rep. Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County District #7, and signed by co-chairman Rep. Gizzie Kollince of Margibi County District #4. Others who signed are Rep. Isaac Bannie of Grand Bassa County District #1, Rep. Jacob Debee of Grand Gedeh County District #3, and Bomi County District #2 Representative Manah Bishop Johnson.

Meanwhile, the Musa Bility’s National Security Committee is poised to deliver its comprehensive report owing to votes from the House’s Plenary following a communication from Montserrado County District # 5 Representative, Priscilla Abram Cooper.

Representative Cooper, referencing a social media video, claimed that President Boakai was attacked by an unidentified individual, despite the presence of officers of the Executive Protection Service.

The Montserrado County Lawmaker added that this dangerous and alarming situation posed a significant threat to the life of the President on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

“It is important to note that President Boakai was fulfilling his official duties when he was invited by the United Methodist University to serve as the Guest Speaker at their 19th graduation ceremony on the aforementioned date. The attack occurred during the President’s arrival and welcome, as an unknown individual, in the presence of EPS officers was captured on camera assaulting him, thereby putting his life in jeopardy,” the UP lawmaker wrote.Meanwhile, Liberians were shocked by the incident with some expressing outrage, with some questioning the efficacy of security measures for the country’s leader.