MONROVIA — Hassan Fadiga, former Deputy Director for Operations at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), has accused Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) soldier Sergeant Joseph Broh of assaulting him, attempting to stab him, and damaging his vehicle on February 21.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Fadiga claims that around 4:45 p.m., while attempting to merge onto the main road from his residence in the VOA community, he encountered a vehicle blocking the entrance.
After waiting briefly, he alleges that Broh, who was driving the vehicle, verbally insulted him and made aggressive gestures.
Fadiga says when he tried to defuse the situation, Broh became more hostile, shouting profanities and approaching his vehicle. Fadiga claims that in fear for his safety, he used pepper spray on Broh. According to Fadiga, Broh, who appeared intoxicated, then drew a knife and attempted to stab him.
In fear for my safety, I retrieved my pepper spray and deployed it to defend myself. Observing that the driver appeared intoxicated, I became further alarmed as he drew what appeared to be a knife and attempted to stab me. The knife narrowly missed me, resulting in a dent in my car and a broken window.
Hassan Fadiga, former LDEA Deputy Director
Fadiga says the knife missed, damaging his vehicle’s window, and Broh continued to attack the car, breaking the rear window with the knife.
Fadiga further claims that he fled the scene to avoid further harm, but Broh continued to assault his vehicle. He denied accusations of using handcuffs to attack Broh, stating that he no longer had any handcuffs since leaving the LDEA.
Fadiga contacted the police, and he and his brother, Al-Hussein, were reportedly detained by AFL soldiers at the scene for hours and faced threats.
They were later escorted to Zone 8 police station for their safety. Fadiga alleges that AFL soldiers obstructed the police investigation, and the situation escalated with the involvement of local youths. He also claims that he was instructed to be charged with aggravated assault, despite not being questioned.
The AFL has denied Fadiga’s accusations, with spokesperson Major El-Dorado Nyanti Jebboe issuing a statement rejecting the claims.
The AFL stated that Fadiga’s allegations were unfounded and emphasized the military’s commitment to upholding the law. The AFL also clarified that Sergeant Broh was injured during the encounter and received treatment at the 14 Military Hospital. Broh tested negative for drugs and alcohol, according to the AFL.
He aggressively insulted and insisted Staff Sergeant Broh left the road and further asked him if he was stupid. This led to an exchange of verbal insults, after which the Fadigas got out of their vehicle and walked towards Staff Sergeant Broh who was still seated in his car, and employed two large canisters of pepper spray each onto the face of Staff Sergeant Broh from the driver side window.
Armed Forces of Liberia
In its statement, the AFL accused Fadiga and his companions of instigating the altercation, alleging they verbally attacked Broh and used pepper spray.
The AFL also expressed concern over the presence of LDEA personnel at the scene, calling it troubling.
Both parties are awaiting further investigation by the police. The AFL has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing inquiry.
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