Louisiana Township, Montserrado County – A wave of sorrow and outrage swept across the Louisiana community on Saturday morning as court sheriffs backed by heavily armed police officers began a controversial demolition of homes and structures claimed to be illegally built on private property.
The demolition, which reportedly stems from a land ownership dispute involving a man identified only as Moore, left dozens of residents displaced and in tears. The owner claimed that the land in question was wrongfully occupied for years, prompting him to pursue legal action which resulted in the court-ordered demolition.
The exercise, however, took a dramatic turn when Honorable Moses K. White, Township Commissioner of Louisiana, intervened following cries from affected residents.
“We woke up to the sound of bulldozers and screaming,” said Grace Smith, a single mother of four whose home was among the first to be flattened. “We have nowhere to go now. No prior notice, no compensation. Just destruction.”
Several residents, many of whom have lived in the area for more than a decade, say they were blindsided by the demolition and were given no formal notice by the court or local authorities.
“I built this house from my sweat. My wife and I have lived here for 18 years. If someone said this land belongs to them, at least give us time to settle or relocate,” said Joseph Kollie, another victim of the demolition, as he stood beside the rubble of his now-destroyed home.
Verity News observed the presence of over a dozen armed police officers stationed to prevent resistance from community members. Tensions rose as residents gathered to block the continuation of the exercise, chanting and pleading for the demolition to stop.
Amid the standoff, Hon. Moses K. White arrived on the scene and appealed to both the court officers and affected residents for calm. His intervention led to a temporary halt of the demolition, allowing families to salvage what they could from the wreckage.
“I understand the court’s decision, but we must also be human. These are families, children, elderly people. We cannot just uproot them without proper engagement,” Hon. White stated while addressing the crowd.
The Louisiana Township Commissioner has since called for an emergency community meeting with representatives of the judiciary, land authorities, and both parties involved in the land dispute to seek a peaceful resolution and avoid further escalation.
Despite the pause, fear and uncertainty loom over the community as residents brace for the possibility of resumed demolitions. Many are calling on the central government, human rights groups, and civil society to intervene and ensure justice is served for those affected.
“This is not just about land. It’s about people’s dignity, their right to shelter, and the need for transparent processes,” said community elder Mama Hawa Mulbah, who urged government authorities to “step in now before these turns into a humanitarian crisis.”
Verity Newspaper has obtained records indicating that this process was originally scheduled to be carried out in 2024.
The fellow claiming to be the owner of the property has refused to speak to our reporter on the record, opting instead to speak off the record.
As the story develops, Verity News will continue engaging victims and authorities to uncover the full scope and legality of the operation.
