Monrovia Liberia – Two personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia have had their services with the AFL terminated with immediate effect for acts of cruelty and maltreatment of a civilian.

SSG Keita Musa and Cpl Jugbe Peter have been ‘dishonorably discharged’ from the AFL in line with Chapter 7, Section 7.7 (j) of the New National Defense Act of August 2008.

It can be recalled that SSG Keita Musa and Cpl Jugbe Peter on 22, February 2020, were allegedly involved in circumstances that led to the assault, cruelty and maltreatment of a civilian, Dakia Woods in Gbarnga City, Bong County.

A Defense Ministry statement said the decision followed an investigation conducted by a team of Military Police personnel.

The investigative report from the Military Police established and confirmed that SSG Keita Musa and Cpl Jugbe Peter assaulted and maltreated civilian Dakai Woods in Gbarnga City, Bong County late February.

The report further established that the soldiers’ actions violated three major articles of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

The Articles are Article 92 (failure to obey lawful order or regulation), Article 128 (assault) and Article 93 (cruelty and maltreatment).

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the Soldiers’ actions contradict the principle of building a discipline military and a Force for Good.

Meanwhile the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia have assured the public that personnel of the AFL who are proven to be involved in acts that contravene the UCMJ and the New National Defense Act of August 2008 will be dealt with accordingly through appropriate legal instruments.

The latest action by the Command of the Armed Forces of Liberia will go down well with family of the victim and residents of Gbanga who felt aggrieved by the soldiers’ behavior.

The Armed Forces of Liberia has always maintained that it is a force for good and the sacking of Keita Musa and Jugbe Peter will further serve as a deterrent for would be trouble makers in the Army.