FIA condemns attack on agency vehicle during ‘Lead or Leave’ protest

Published: December 19, 2025

MONROVIA – The Financial Intelligence Agency of Liberia has strongly condemned what it described as an unlawful physical attack and the vandalism of one of its official vehicles during the Dec. 17 “Lead or Leave” protest in Monrovia, accusing demonstrators of acting with malicious intent.

The protest was organized by Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), a civil society group led by former Congress for Democratic Change national chairman Mulbah K. Morlu. Organizers said the demonstration aimed to draw attention to worsening economic conditions, rising poverty and unemployment, a lack of development, corruption, and what they described as weak accountability and disregard for the rule of law.

In a statement issued Wednesday by its Communications, Awareness and Public Education Section, the FIA said the incident occurred while the vehicle was transporting agency staff to the Central Bank of Liberia to carry out official duties in line with its mandate.

“The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, on the Jallah Town, Capitol Bypass, in Monrovia,” the statement said. According to the agency, eyewitness accounts indicate that what it termed “overzealous” protesters vandalized the vehicle and allegedly took away valuables belonging to staff members on board.

“These included bank checks, mobile phones and physical cash belonging to FIA staff who were onboard the damaged vehicle,” the statement added.

The agency described the act as unfortunate and unlawful, stressing that it runs contrary to the principles governing peaceful assembly as enshrined in Article 17 of the Liberian Constitution. FIA officials said the alleged actions went beyond the bounds of lawful protest and posed a direct threat to public servants carrying out their duties.

At the same time, the FIA praised what it called the timely intervention of the Liberia National Police, which it said helped to contain the situation and restore order at the scene.

“The LNP has identified mitigating measures to hold perpetrators who allegedly vandalized the FIA’s assigned vehicle accountable based on facts and the Liberian law,” the statement said.

The agency also appealed to the public to assist law enforcement with credible information that could aid investigations into the incident.

“Meanwhile, the agency pleads with Liberians and other nationals from all walks of life to kindly provide useful information to the Liberia National Police,” the statement said. “This will enable the LNP to find a solution to the vandalization incident based on evidence.”

The Dec. 17 protest resulted in damage to several vehicles in different parts of Monrovia, according to images circulating on social media. Police were deployed in large numbers and blocked protesters from accessing the grounds of the Executive Mansion, where organizers had initially planned to stage the demonstration, citing past precedents of protests at the site.