Monrovia – ‘General Power’, formally known as Augustine Nagbe, a former general of the disbanded National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and an ex-ally of jailed former President Charles Taylor, has called on the 55th National Legislature to pass a bill that would impose the death penalty on individuals found guilty of selling drugs in Liberia.
By Pius Tweh, with The Liberian Investigator
In an exclusive interview with The Liberian Investigator on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in central Monrovia, General Nagbe stressed that a large portion of the country’s youth—who make up around 60% of the population—are being destroyed by drug abuse. He argued that the alarming rate of substance abuse among the youth is contributing to the social decay Liberia is currently witnessing.
“I am engaged in rehabilitating some of the youths who are addicted to illegal substances, and it enrages me to see young people wandering the streets, searching for drugs,” General Power said.
Drawing on Liberia’s dark history, Nagbe referenced the April 1980 military coup, when 13 officials from the administration of the slain President William R. Tolbert were executed on a beach near the Barclay Training Center. He invoked this memory to illustrate the seriousness of his proposal. According to him, placing drug traffickers on firing squads could serve as a deterrent to those importing illegal substances into the country.
General Power’s call echoes previous statements he made in 2019, when he threatened to form a force to defend President George Manneh Weah, should there be any attempt to unseat him. At that time, Nagbe, who hails from Grand Kru County, vowed to mobilize his ethnic group in defense of President Weah. He proudly described himself as a “Kru warrior” and warned that any attempt to challenge the President would be met with fierce resistance.
Nagbe’s stance on drug trafficking extends beyond legal measures; he also called on community members to actively engage in the fight against illegal drugs. “The people selling these substances live within our communities. It cannot be left to security personnel alone,” he urged.
As Liberia continues to grapple with rising crime and drug-related issues, General Power’s controversial proposal is likely to spark intense debate among lawmakers, civil society groups, and the public.
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