The Liberia National Police (LNP) says it will employ the use of electronic evidence to investigate a fire incident that ravaged the legislative building up Capitol Hill on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman said during the early morning of Wednesday, they received a call that the Capitol was on fire and quickly moved on the scene along with the Liberia National Fire Service.
Speaking at a press briefing in Monrovia, Inspector General Coleman said they will be looking at electronic evidence that was used by Liberians before the incident occurred in order to conduct investigations.
According to him, they have instructed the relevant authorities to invite the individuals concerned for questioning including Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko who denied their invitation.
He said the lawmaker was invited by the LNP in connection to a statement made in a live Facebook video threatening to burn down the Joint Chambers of the Capitol being used as a meeting place for lawmakers of the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives.
Coleman has meanwhile urged Representative Foko to willingly turn himself over to the LNP or risk being arrested.
The police chief said the fire incident at the capitol has all the elements of a foul play, adding that several arrests were made after the incident most of whom are security personnel.
Giving further updates on the Tuesday, December 17, 2024 protest in Monrovia, IG Coleman said it was unfortunate that the police was forced to spray protesters with tear gas but they have the responsibility to protect lives and property.
He said the total number of 72 persons were arrested, 15 forwarded to court, 10 released based on the investigation, while investigations are still ongoing for the rest of the suspects of the violence.
By Lucky M. McGee
