By Bill W. Cooper
The grounds of the Capitol Building were scene of total panic when group of dismissed officers from the Executive Protection Service (EPS) took to the streets, brandishing firearms and firing shots into the air in a desperate bid to demand their unpaid arrears.
The officers, who claim they were illegally dismissed by the government, gathered in the fence of the Capitol Building, creating a scene that drew the attention of employees, security personnel and pedestrians, among others.
The incident unfolded during the morning hours of Monday, September 16, 2024, when the dismissed EPS officers, in their numbers, converged on the grounds of the Legislature, chanting slogans “We want our money!” and Justice for EPS!” as the situation later turned rowdy upon the hearing of live bullets, a move that prompted immediate responses from law enforcement.
Eyewitnesses reported that the sounds of gunfire caused panic among nearby vendors and pedestrians, who fled the scene in fear, with the officers expressing their frustration over what they described as a “grave injustice” following their dismissal from the EPS.
The EPS is a unit, created by the Legislature with the responsibility to protect the country’s VIPs which include the President and his immediate family, likewise the Vice President and immediate family, Speaker and Senate Pro-tempore, among others.
Upon the inception of the Unity Party government, these dismissed officers were part of a larger group of EPS personnel whose contracts were reportedly terminated in a controversial manner by the current EPS Director.
Information had it that the dismissal is linked to an alleged illegal recruitment process during the previous regime of former President George Weah coupled with misconduct and unethical behavior.
However, the affected officers have since vehemently denied these claims, arguing that their terminations were politically motivated and aimed at consolidating power within the security apparatus.
“We were illegally dismissed by this government and were never given a dime. We want our money because our children are out of schools, our wives been put outside for rents and no food at our various households,” the aggrieved EPS officers lamented.
Commenting on the gun sounds, the officers stressed, “Yes, we disarmed a security who came at us because he was trying to show up and if anyone of them come out with their weapons again, we will take it and will never return it.”
“And we will be here day and night till our concerns are addressed. We dare any officers of the Liberia National Police to show up, we will know who are more trained,” the aggrieved EPS officers emphasized, while barricading the House’s wing of the Legislature.
Meanwhile, as the situation outside the legislature escalated, House Speaker Fonati Koffa arrived on the scene to address the agitated officers, thus pleading with them to engage in dialogue with the government.
He pleaded, “Let us talk about this peacefully. I understand your frustrations, but we cannot resolve this with violence. We need to find a way to address your concerns through the proper channels as a government.”
The Speaker then assured the officers that he would take their grievances to the appropriate committees within the legislature, as well as engage the Executive Branch of government to ascertain the facts surrounding their concerns.
He further promised to advocate for a thorough review and investigation of their case, adding, “I will not rest until we find a solution to your situation, ensuring a logical solution.”
