Joint Security Members Displays Reckless Conduct as Bad-Blood ignites Clash between AFL, Police

Monrovia, Liberia: Barely five months after the completion of a joint security training that was geared towards fostering cohesiveness among personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), an incident during the late evening hours of Wednesday, February 26, 2025, leaves much to wonder as to the level of disunity among members of Liberia’s Joint Security.

The incident in which a physical confrontation ensued between military personnel and police officers at the main junction of SD Cooper in Paynesville painted scares for bystanders and various social media platforms.

According to several reports, the confrontation had stemmed from an earlier incident involving the alleged brutalization of an AFL officer by LNP personnel, raising concerns about the growing rift within Liberia’s security sector.

It is reported that on Sunday, February 23, 2025, an unnamed AFL officer was allegedly assaulted by some police officers assigned at the SD Cooper Road Junction under the assumption that he was a commercial motorcyclist. According to the report, the AFL’s officer's attempt to convince the police officers about his status as a military person went futile as he was not provided the chance to present his identification card.

The LNP officers, according to reports, reportedly ignored the unidentified military man's verbal testimony about his status as army personnel and resorted to using intimidation tactics with the use of excessive force, leaving the military man with a severe head injury.

It is believed that in an apparent response, on the evening of Wednesday, February 26, 2025, AFL soldiers confronted LNP officers at SD Cooper Road Junction, seeking what several eyewitnesses described as "revenge" for the unwarranted physical assault on one of their colleagues.

What started as a verbal altercation quickly escalated out of control to a serious clash where objects were used, thereby disrupting the free movement of peaceful citizens to the shock of onlookers.

According to a few eyewitnesses who spoke to Knews, the February 23, 2025 quarrel between military personnel and the LNP started as a minor disagreement over proper identification as the police were enforcing the “no go-zone” area ban on motorcyclists.

Out of a sudden, according to a hereby street vendor who had witnessed the entire situation, what was thought to be a minor misunderstanding over proper identification erupted into a full-blown conflict when police officers who were in their numbers allegedly assaulted the military officer in the glare of the public.

Five days later, several military personnel, in what seems to be a coordinated plan to seek revenge, attacked police officers assigned at the SD Cooper Road Junction. 

Policeman William K. David, code name Safety 4, and several police officers assigned at the SD Cooper Road Junction got severely injured during the clash.

Reports say William is currently receiving medical treatment at ELWA Hospital after sustaining major head injuries.

The severity of the clash immediately prompted the swift intervention of senior members of the Joint Security Apparatus, including AFL Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Theophilius Dana and Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, who rushed to the scene in an attempt to de-escalate tensions.

The prompt intervention of the high-ranking members of the joint security apparatus brought under control a situation that had the propensity to fuel security concerns among citizens and foreign residents.

The Wednesday, February 26, 2025 incident highlights serious concerns about cordial relationships among members of Liberia’s security forces.

One would think the five-month training, which was intended to cement a cordial relationship among members of the joint security through fostering unity and coordination, would have had a major impact in preventing such an unfortunate situation, but from the look of things, there is tension of bad blood between the army and the police.

Moreover, the incident comes amid ongoing tensions between the police and commercial motorcyclists, a group frequently at odds with police enforcement mechanisms over restricted areas, and alleged police harassment, amongst others.

With the AFL seeming now to join the ranks of enemies of the police, the line of distinction between professional law enforcement and retaliation is becoming increasingly blurred.

And with the current political conflict up Capitol Hill, as Liberia struggles to maintain its fragile peace and stability, the least expected now is an atmosphere of bad blood among members of Liberia’s security apparatus.

This unfortunate situation that has sent a negative optic globally should serve as a wake-up call for the hierarchy of security to reinforce discipline, proper communication mechanisms, and mutual respect among security actors.

Edited: E. Geedahgar Garsuah, Sr.