NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has declared Mulbah Morlu, Chairman of Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), armed and dangerous and has urged state security officers and the general public not to engage or confront him.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
On Thursday, July 17, 2026, Morlu, the lead organizer of the “Lead or Leave” protest in Monrovia, displayed a firearm on Capitol Hill, where protesters had gathered to petition the government. He claimed the weapon had been seized from an individual allegedly planted by the government to disrupt and kill peaceful protesters.
Mr. Morlu did not identify or hand over the individual from whom the firearm was allegedly seized to the Liberia National Police, nor did he surrender the weapon. However, he claimed it was loaded with live ammunition and was intended to cause mayhem during the protest.
Hours after the protesters departed the Capitol grounds for their various destinations, the Liberia National Police claimed that the firearm displayed by Morlu belonged to one of its officers, whom the police said was disarmed by Morlu and a group of protesters.
“The Liberia National Police (LNP) wishes to inform the public that it has received credible intelligence indicating that a firearm seized from a police officer during today’s public demonstration is intended to be used for unlawful and nefarious purposes,” the police said in a statement.
“Based on the intelligence available, the individual identified as Mr. Mulbah Morlu, Chairman of Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), is believed to be in unlawful possession of the weapon. Accordingly, the Liberia National Police hereby declares Mr. Mulbah Morlu armed and dangerous and urges the public to exercise extreme caution,” the LNP noted.
The LNP directed all Liberia National Police personnel and other law enforcement officers who may come into contact with Mr. Mulbah Morlu not to attempt to engage or confront him alone.
“Officers should immediately notify the appropriate command authority or the nearest police operational center so that a coordinated law enforcement response can be initiated. Any operational response shall be conducted strictly in accordance with the applicable Rules of Engagement, the law, and established police procedures,” the police statement warned.
The Liberia National Police further issued a final warning to Mr. Mulbah Morlu to immediately surrender the firearm to the nearest Liberia National Police station or any recognized law enforcement authority.
“Failure to do so will result in every lawful measure being taken to recover the weapon and bring all responsible persons before the courts.”
The Liberia National Police also called on members of the public who may have credible information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Mulbah Morlu or the firearm to report such information immediately through the nearest police station or established LNP emergency reporting channels.
“Citizens are strongly advised not to approach or attempt to apprehend him. The Liberia National Police remains committed to safeguarding public safety, protecting the constitutional rights of all persons, and ensuring that those who seek to use violence or unlawfully possess firearms are held fully accountable under the laws of the Republic of Liberia,” the LNP said.
Morlu Responds to LNP Claim
The Chairman of Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) and lead organizer of the July 17 “Lead or Leave” protest, Mulbah K. Morlu, responded to the Liberia National Police by accusing the government of intimidation and alleging that state security forces targeted protesters during Friday’s demonstration.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page following the protest, Morlu said he was not intimidated by what he described as threats against him.
“But I want to make it clear: I am not afraid of you. I’m not scared. If you want to send police officers to arrest me tonight, go ahead,” Morlu wrote.
As the police demanded that one of its weapons was in Morlu’s possession and instructed him to surrender it, the STAND Chairman described the police action as an attempt to threaten his life.
“You are threatening my life by demanding that I produce a gun. Do I look like someone who has a gun for you?” he added.
The STAND Chairman also accused the government of orchestrating attacks against demonstrators during the July 17 protest, alleging that the situation could have resulted in significant casualties.
“You sent people to attack and kill protesters today. It could have turned into a bloodbath,” Morlu alleged.
He claimed that instead of appreciating efforts to prevent further violence, those he believes were responsible for the incident were now attempting to intimidate him.
“If your conscience were clear, you would be thanking me. Instead, because I believe you are the mastermind behind this dangerous situation, you are now panicking,” Morlu wrote.
Morlu further asserted that violence would not resolve Liberia’s growing drug crisis.
“You think that by killing more people, you will stop this drug crisis. It will not,” he said.
The Facebook statement came hours after the “Lead or Leave” protest, organized by STAND, drew hundreds of demonstrators to the streets of Monrovia to express concerns over governance, corruption, unemployment, and the country’s drug epidemic.
The Liberia National Police has yet to publicly respond to Morlu’s latest allegations contained in the Facebook post. Authorities have previously maintained that security officers were deployed to preserve law and order during the protest.
