Trokon Gray’s Narrow Escapes: A Chilling Tale of Death Threats and Police Intimidation
- Michael T
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
Trokon Grayginho Gray, President of the Supreme Motorcycle Transport Union of Liberia (SUMTUL), has revealed a harrowing series of narrow escapes from death following alleged threats by Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations, Col. J. Nelson Freeman. Known for his advocacy against police brutality and unjust restrictions targeting motorcyclists, Gray now finds himself at the center of a life-threatening ordeal, claiming Freeman has unleashed a campaign of intimidation that endangers him and thousands of riders [2][6].
Gray asserts that the threats began after Freeman’s chilling remarks on March 17, 2025, where he allegedly declared, “Get ready to bury more cyclists”[2][6]. These words have since taken on a grim reality, with reports of escalating violence against motorcyclists, including the tragic death of a rider barely 48 hours after Freeman’s statement[4][5]. Gray’s latest release paints a picture of relentless pursuit and targeted harassment, with multiple incidents where he narrowly escaped harm[6].
The most recent encounter occurred on April 6, 2025, when Gray was confronted by individuals who allegedly acted under Freeman’s directives. Declaring him a marked target, they confiscated his motorcycle in what Gray describes as an oppressive act meant to silence his advocacy[6]. These incidents tell the dangerous environment motorcyclists face amidst growing tensions between the Liberia National Police (LNP) and SUMTUL.
Freeman’s alleged threats have sparked outrage among civil society groups and human rights advocates. Critics argue that his remarks weaponize law enforcement against peaceful citizens, violating constitutional rights and deepening mistrust in Liberia’s police force[2][6]. Advocacy leader Mulbah Morlu has condemned Freeman’s conduct as “dangerous provocation,” calling for accountability and urging riders to remain law-abiding despite the intimidation[5][6].
The economic impact of this crackdown is staggering, with over 250,000 riders relying on motorcycle transport for their livelihoods[2][6]. Restrictions on movement have disproportionately affected low-income communities, exacerbating social inequalities and pushing families into deeper hardship[1][3]. Gray’s leadership in opposing these policies has made him a target but also a symbol of resilience for Liberia’s motorcycling community[3][4].
The LNP has dismissed allegations against Freeman as baseless, claiming professionalism in enforcing movement restrictions. However, eyewitness accounts and recent incidents suggest otherwise, raising serious questions about abuse of power and authoritarian overreach within Liberia’s law enforcement system[2][6].
This case is a critical test of Liberia’s commitment to justice and accountability as tensions rise. The government must act decisively to protect advocates like Gray and ensure law enforcement agencies operate within the bounds of the law. Failure to address these abuses risks deepening socio-economic challenges and setting a dangerous precedent for unchecked power in Liberia[3][6].
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Additional Sources
[1] https://allafrica.com/stories/202503170358.html
[2] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-sumtul-raises-concerns-over-police-reported-threats-amid-growing-tensions-lnp-responds/
[3] https://liberianinvestigator.com/news/motorcyclists-to-rally-at-supreme-court-over-restrictive-ban/
[4] https://gnnliberia.com/motorcycle-protest-looms-call-for-proactive-government-action-to-preserve-peace/
[5] https://gossipliberia.com/liberias-police-ig-declares-war-on-motorcyclists-i-will-do-everything-to-stop-you/
[6] https://verityonlinenews.com/motorcycle-union-meets-ecowas-demands-end-to-crackdown/
[7] https://www.tlcafrica1.com/death/
[8] https://hotpepperliberia.com/your-get-ready-to-bury-more-cyclists/
[9] https://lr.linkedin.com/in/robert-p-gbeanquoi-157b649a
[10] https://liberianinvestigator.com/news/infiltration-plot-uncovered-ahead-of-motorcyclists-protest-in-liberia/
[11] https://www.insightsliberia.com/post/deputy-police-director-rains-death-threats-on-motorcyclists-get-ready-to-bury-more-cyclists
[12] https://www.instagram.com/focusonliberia/p/DHbrHUmtAN7/
[13] https://lr.linkedin.com/company/riders-for-health-liberia
[14] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-motorcyclists-protest-police-inhumane-treatment-demand-street-access-or-fee-refund/
[15] https://edepot.wur.nl/518812
[16] https://website.frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberian-research-group-p4dp-restoring-motorcyclists-pride/
[17] https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/series/6/2/1/full/
[18] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14678802.2022.2122698
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