Police Arrest Over 20 in Violent Eviction Clashes in Paynesville and Barclay Mission

Paynesville, Redlight Two separate court-ordered evictions in Paynesville and the Barclay Mission community erupted into violence on Thursday November 13, 2015 leaving residents stunned, several structures damaged, and more than twenty people in police custody. The Liberia National Police (LNP) has since restored calm as investigations continue into both incidents.

Early Thursday, police moved into the Red Light parker Paint Community to enforce a Civil Law Court “B” eviction order involving a disputed property reportedly claimed by a man identified as Keita. The property includes several stores and the Red Light Central Mosque.

What began as a routine enforcement quickly escalated. Occupants resisting the order hurled stones and petrol bombs at court officers and police. Some were seen on rooftops brandishing cutlasses, attempting to push back security forces.

One petrol bomb was thrown toward the EcoBank branch in Red Light, triggering panic among customers. Quick action from the bank’s security personnel and the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) prevented a larger disaster.

Police reinforcements fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Eight individualsamong them the Imam of the Red Light Central Mosque were arrested for allegedly leading or participating in the resistance. At least one store briefly caught fire but was swiftly extinguished.

The LNP has since increased its presence in the area to maintain order as the land dispute continues to be investigated.

A separate and more intense confrontation unfolded at dawn in the Barclay Mission community, where police attempted for the third time to enforce a Supreme Court mandate removing the Kamara family from a disputed property.

The eviction operation, backed by sheriffs and reinforced by armed officers, met fierce resistance. Residents and supporters of the Kamara family launched stones and petrol bombs at police, who responded with multiple rounds of tear gas. Clouds of smoke, burned debris and scattered belongings littered the streets after hours of clashes.

“What happened here is madness,” said Isaac Johnson, a resident who fled as tear gas swept through the area. “People were throwing petrol bombs at the police like they’re above the law.”

Others blamed the justice system, questioning the legitimacy of the ruling.

“The court ruled without proper survey,” argued community member Makenneh Kroma. “If that’s true, the family had every reason to be frustrated.”

The confrontation divided onlookers, with some defending law enforcement and others accusing the judiciary of bias.

“Liberia is becoming lawless because people don’t trust the system anymore,” one resident said. “Justice depends on who has power.”

Police eventually overpowered the resistance, securing the compound and allowing sheriffs to complete the eviction. Fourteen people were arrested and remain in custody.

Thursday’s violence stems from an August 14, 2025 Supreme Court ruling in an ejectment case filed by Batune Keita represented by his son, Mohammed Tanja Keita against Mamade M. Kamara and others.

The Keita family argues that they legally purchased one acre of land in 1989 from Charles S.B. Watkins, and that the Kamaras illegally occupied two lots and collected rent from businesses on the property.

The Court ruled in the Keita family’s favor and ordered sheriffs to place them in possession of the land “using the metes and bounds of their deed.”

But the Kamara family rejects the ruling as “erroneous” and claims the government survey referenced in the judgment was done without their participation. According to family member Yussif Kamara, the deed the Court cited corresponds to land in Omega, not Red Light.

The Barclay Mission community remains split over the eviction.

“The law is the law. You can’t defy the Supreme Court,” said resident Jackson Donzo.

Others, however, believe the case highlights deeper cracks within Liberia’s justice system.

“When courts take sides, people lose faith in justice,” another resident said.

The Liberia National Police says it will maintain a strong presence in both communities to prevent further disturbances as investigations into the two disputes continue.