The Police And Soldier Stalemate, Our Concern

ON SUNDAY AND Wednesday- February 23 and 26, 2025, the S.D. Cooper Road in Paynesville, outside Monrovia- became a scene of insecurity attraction when two forces of our security sector stalemated.

THE FORMER DATE– 23^rd February incident was reportedly orchestrated by police enforcement of a ‘no go zone’ for commercial motorcycle, when a cyclist transporting an AFL personnel who was not attired in army uniform encountered police personnel on duty.

WE ARE TOLD the cyclist and the AFL personnel were denied passage in full compliance of the ‘no go zone’ regulation sanctioned by the Liberia National Police, even though the AFL personnel reportedly identified himself to be given passage.

CONSEQUENTLY, THIS WAS the beginning of the police and AFL standoff resulting into brutality when the army personnel in question was reportedly subdued and humiliated by police officers on assignment.

ON THE LATTER date- 26^th February after calm had returned to the police check-point, a well planned revenge attack hit police personnel on duty with some fleeing the scene while one of their colleagues was subdued receiving severe flogging and injury from the annoyed AFL personnel.

GLARINGLY, WE THINK the episode demonstrates unfriendliness between the two security segments that the citizenry relies on for protection in defense of the country and its people.

IT IS OUR opinion that showcasing animosity amongst paramilitary and military personnel like what transpired in recent time clouds uncertainty in the public sphere and makes the governed to fear their safety under the government in power.

THOUGH THE RECENT fiasco amongst the two security forces is not the first of its kind, as the identical standoff also took place in Soul Clinic during Madam Ellen Johnson Sirlleaf’s Regime in the same form and manner, top brasses of these forces should use their expertise to unite their personnel who are trusted to protect lives and properties under the law of the Republic.

ON THIS NOTE, we encourage  our security personnel, both paramilitary and military to work in unison, putting aside personal differences and placing the interest of the country and its people above everything else in protecting and defending Mama Liberia.