MOUNT BARCLAY, MARGIBI – A tense confrontation unfolded on Tuesday at the residence of Charles Massaley, the Executive Director of Procurement for the National Port Authority, commonly known as Manja Boakai Sr., as police officers executed a court eviction order linked to a land dispute.
The incident took place in the Nimba United Community, where businessman John Youbouty claims ownership of approximately 17 acres of land that includes several occupied properties. As officers accompanied by a sheriff arrived to enforce the eviction, chaos ensued.
According to Massaley, when police entered his compound, his dogs began to bark aggressively. In an effort to control the situation, one of the officers reportedly fired two rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle. Witnesses claim that one shot struck Massaley’s vehicle, while the other hit one of the dogs, leaving it severely injured.
“This level of aggression was unnecessary,” Massaley stated, expressing shock and disbelief at the police’s use of live ammunition in a civil matter. “There are proper protocols for evictions; live bullets should never be part of that process.”
Local residents gathered around the scene were visibly disturbed by the police action, many expressing their concerns about the escalating violence in such situations. “This was a residential area. There were children and families nearby. Firing guns doesn’t solve disputes,” noted a neighbor who preferred to remain anonymous.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident, and it remains unclear what measures will be taken in response to the use of firearms during the eviction. Meanwhile, animal rights activists are rallying for action regarding the injured dog, calling for justice and accountability.
As the dust settles from this incident, the ongoing dispute between Massaley and Youbouty raises broader questions about property rights, law enforcement conduct, and the handling of civil disputes in Liberia.
The community awaits further developments as both parties prepare to take the next steps in what has become a highly publicized and contentious legal battle.
