The National Islamic Youth for Da’wah and Academic Excellence (NIYDAE), organizers of the prestigious National Islamic Youth Tournament, has issued a powerful statement condemning what it calls the “appalling and inhumane” treatment of a young mother, Sister Zainab Bah, allegedly brutalized by an officer of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
The incident, which reportedly took place on Newport Street in Monrovia, has triggered national outrage, especially after disturbing video footage circulated on social media showing Bah being physically assaulted, publicly humiliated, and stripped naked alongside her infant child. Eyewitnesses claim the violent episode stemmed from an unverified accusation of electricity theft.
NIYDAE described the police officer’s conduct as a “shocking abuse of power” and a “gross violation of human dignity and basic rights.” According to the group, the incident reflects not just an individual act of brutality but a systemic pattern of misconduct, impunity, and gender-based violence that continues to erode public trust in Liberia’s law enforcement institutions.
“No accusation, no matter how serious, justifies stripping a woman and her child of their dignity,” NIYDAE said in a press statement issued Wednesday. “Our Constitution and our international obligations demand that all citizens be treated with respect, fairness, and due process.”
The youth organization further emphasized that the actions of the police officer not only violated the law but also inflicted deep emotional and psychological harm on both the mother and her child, demanding immediate and comprehensive intervention from the government.
In response, NIYDAE has outlined four key demands aimed at addressing the issue and preventing future occurrences: Independent Investigation and Prosecution: The group is calling for a full-scale, impartial investigation into the matter and for those responsible to be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Psychosocial and Medical Support: NIYDAE is urging the government and relevant health institutions to provide counseling and medical care for Zainab Bah and her child. Official Apology: A formal, public apology from the Liberia National Police to Sister Zainab and her family is being demanded, acknowledging the harm caused by the officer’s actions. Police Reform and Training: The group is calling for mandatory training in human rights, ethical conduct, and gender sensitivity for all police personnel—ranging from cadets to senior leadership.
“This cannot be swept under the rug,” the statement added. “Liberia is a nation of laws—not of jungle justice or brute force. We must hold those in power accountable when they fail to uphold the laws they are sworn to enforce.”
NIYDAE warned that if the government fails to respond transparently and urgently, it will begin mobilizing young people nationwide for peaceful, nonviolent protests to demand justice, institutional accountability, and police reform.
The group’s condemnation joins a growing chorus of voices from civil society, religious organizations, women’s rights advocates, and the general public, all demanding urgent action from the Ministry of Justice and the leadership of the Liberia National Police.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” NIYDAE concluded, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “This moment must serve as a turning point—not just for Sister Zainab Bah, but for every Liberian who believes in justice, dignity, and the rule of law.”
Calls are now mounting for President Joseph Boakai’s administration to treat the case with seriousness and urgency, as public patience with alleged police brutality and impunity wears thin.
