Liberia, July 20 -- A call by former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf back in February of this year for stronger government intervention in addressing Liberia's persistent land disputes has returned to the spotlight following the heels of a tense land dispute within the Battery Factory and Jamaica Road Communities along the Japan Freeway.

The tension, which erupted early Saturday morning, July 18, 2026, witnessed serious commotion between residents who were being forcibly evicted and a riot force of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) of the Liberia National Police (LNP).

Police Brutality vs Residents' Retaliation

During the fracas that lasted to the latter part of the day, police officers used excessive force against residents involved...