By Amos Harris
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has clarified the circumstances surrounding its traffic enforcement action involving a vehicle used to publicize an upcoming protest organized by supporters of political figure Mulbah Morlu. In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the LNP said the vehicle was stopped by traffic officers because it appeared to have significant mechanical defects that posed a risk to public safety.
According to the police, officers observed the vehicle while it was moving through Monrovia and decided to conduct a routine traffic inspection after noticing its apparent poor condition. The inspection, the LNP said, revealed that the vehicle was mechanically defective and unfit for continued operation on Liberia’s public roads. Police maintained that the enforcement action was taken strictly on road-safety grounds and had nothing to do with the political message or the planned protest being advertised by the vehicle.
The LNP emphasized that the decision was not intended to disrupt or prevent the planned demonstration or interfere with the activities of the protest organizers. Authorities further stated that all motorists, regardless of political affiliation or purpose, are required to ensure their vehicles meet the country’s traffic and roadworthiness standards before operating on public roads. The police stressed that enforcing traffic regulations remains part of their responsibility to protect the safety of all road users and prevent accidents caused by defective vehicles.
Responding to public speculation, the LNP rejected suggestions that the vehicle was targeted because it was promoting the planned protest, insisting that the action was based solely on its mechanical condition. The police also reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights of Liberians to peacefully assemble and demonstrate in accordance with the law.
The LNP said it remains prepared to work with protest organizers and other stakeholders to ensure that any demonstration is conducted peacefully, safely, and within the bounds of the law. In addition, the police urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, warning that misinformation could create unnecessary tension and confusion. The clarification comes amid growing public attention over preparations for the planned protest, as authorities seek to assure citizens that lawful demonstrations will be protected while traffic and public-safety regulations continue to be enforced equally for everyone.