-AFL Revenge Attack Injures LNP Officer, Threatening National Stability
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – A violent clash between personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) on Wednesday evening has left one police officer severely injured and scintillated widespread concern among citizens. The incident, which occurred at the intersection of S.D. Cooper Road and Tubman Boulevard, is believed to be a retaliatory attack following an earlier altercation between the two security forces on Sunday.
Background of the Conflict
The tension stems from an incident on Sunday when an AFL officer riding a private motorcycle along Tubman Boulevard—a route declared a “No Go Zone” for motorcycles—was stopped by LNP officers. Despite identifying himself as a military personnel, the AFL officer was reportedly beaten by three LNP officers and thrown into a police pickup truck. A video of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, confirmed the altercation.
Wednesday’s Retaliation
In what appears to be an act of revenge, scores of AFL personnel returned to the scene of Sunday’s incident on Wednesday evening. Eyewitnesses reported that the AFL officers chased LNP personnel stationed at the intersection, brutally assaulting one officer who sustained major injuries. However, some LNP officers managed to escape
A video obtained by this publication shows the chaotic scene, with AFL personnel aggressively pursuing LNP officers. The injured police officer was later attended to, but the incident has left many Liberians fearful of further confrontations.
Liberia National Police (LNP) officer William K. David—Safety 4—was one of several police officers assaulted. He sustained major head injuries and was taken to the ELWA Hospital for treatment.
Official Response
Less than an hour after the clash, senior officials from both the AFL and LNP visited the scene to assess the situation. Personnel from both forces were deployed to restore order, but the incident has already flared widespread concern among citizens and lawmakers.
The violent confrontation has drawn sharp criticism from Liberians, who fear the country is sitting on a “time bomb” due to the deteriorating relationship between its security forces. Prominent figures and ordinary citizens alike have expressed alarm over the lack of leadership and discipline within the security sector.
Montserrado County District #6 Representative Samuel Enders expressed his concerns, stating, “Lack of leadership leads to lawlessness. Who’s in charge?”.
