By Bill W. Cooper
The S. D. Cooper-ELWA Junction was yesterday afternoon, a scene of panic after an officer of the Liberia National Police (LNP), identified as William K. David, alias ‘Safety 4’, was publicly beaten by officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
The incident which raised concerns about inter-agency relations and public safety, according to information, ensued after officer David on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, reportedly assaulted an officer of the AFL yet to be identified for riding in a designated motorcyclist’s “No-Go-Zone” despite identifying himself as a member of the armed forces.
According to eyewitness accounts, the altercation began around the afternoon hours of Wednesday, February 26, 2025, when Officer William, who was on duty at ELWA Junction, was approached by several AFL personnel loaded in a pick-up.
Reports also indicated that Officer William and colleagues on duty were then approached by the aggrieved AFL officer and colleagues, who were allegedly still agitated from the previous day’s encounter with the police.
However, tensions later escalated quickly, leading to a physical confrontation that eyewitnesses described as brutal, leaving the officer severely brutalized, while his other colleagues then managed to escape the scene for survival.
Officer William however, sustained major head injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at ELWA Hospital, following the arrival of Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, Defense Minister Geraldine George and the Deputy Army Chief of Staff among others, on the scene.
Explaining his ordeal to journalists, William narrated that he was reportedly attacked by over 10 AFL soldiers around the ELWA area; something which nearly led to his death even though his belongings went missing.
However, the altercation between the AFL and LNP has not only raised concerns within law enforcement circles but has also sparked public outcry, with citizens expressing their dismay at the incident, calling for accountability and better training for officers from both agencies.
In an interview with one bystander named Koffa, he said, “I can’t believe this is happening in our country, because these are supposed to be the people who protect us, and instead, they are fighting each other as if they don’t know each other. It’s embarrassing and disheartening.”
Another local resident who witnessed the fight, noted, “We need our police and military to cooperate, not to be fighting each other. This kind of behavior undermines inter-agency collaboration, including public trust and safety.”
Meanwhile, yesterday’s incident at the ELWA Junction is not only an isolated case but rather part of a broader pattern of tension between the LNP and AFL, including other security apparatus in the country.
Historically, there have been instances of rivalries between personnel of the two agencies, often stemming from overlapping responsibilities, a lack of clear communication, a lack of collaboration, and or institutional or superiority rivalry, among others.
In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the collaboration between personnel of the LNP and the AFL, particularly in the areas of training and interoperability by past administrations since the end of the country’s civil war.
But the ELWA Junction incident, like any other violent incident between some personnel of the agencies, further highlights the ongoing challenges that both agencies face in fostering internal discipline, esprit de corps and unity.
