MONROVIA – Residents of the Soul Clinic Community in Paynesville were jolted early Sunday morning by reports of a fire that engulfed the home of National Security Agency (NSA) Director, Retired Major Gen. Prince C. Johnson, III. Eyewitnesses described the building as being overwhelmed by flames, prompting swift intervention by authorities.
The fire reportedly began around 3 a.m., though it continued to burn into the morning hours before firefighters from the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) could gain control. As of now, there is no official confirmation on whether Director Johnson was at home during the incident. There are reports that he is not in country. The Liberian Post could not independently verify his presence at the time.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the blaze caused substantial damage to the property. Officials from both the LNFS and Liberia National Police (LNP) have launched investigations to determine whether the fire was accidental or intentional.
This latest incident follows a previous attempted arson at Director Johnson’s residence in May 2024. At that time, unidentified individuals reportedly set fire to the home’s fence before fleeing. Security personnel quickly contained the blaze, and no one was harmed. The LNP conducted an investigation, but no official findings were publicly released.
Retired Johnson, III, has had a distinguished career in Liberia’s military. Before assuming his current role as head of Liberia’s spy organization, he served as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) during the administration of former President George Weah. He also held positions as Commanding General and Deputy Chief of Staff during former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s tenure, alongside several other key roles within the restructured AFL.
The NSA condemned the 2024 arson attempt, labeling it a “premeditated and callous act of criminal arson” and appealed to the public for information to aid the investigation. The circumstances surrounding Sunday’s fire remain unclear, and authorities have yet to release an official statement on the cause. The Liberian Post will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as investigations by the LNFS and LNP progress.
