A troubling incident involving members of Liberia’s security apparatus has surfaced, following the alleged assault of a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in the Palm Spring Community, Careysburg, Montserrado County.
Corporal David N. Watson, an AFL soldier, was reportedly attacked on the night of September 3, 2025, by Emergency Response Unit (ERU) officer Decee Homer and two unidentified individuals, believed to be civilian accomplices.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 PM along Palm Spring Main Street, just hours after an earlier dispute involving accusations of impersonation.
According to an official incident report filed by Cpl. Watson on September 5, a copy of which is in possession of this paper, tensions first arose earlier that day, around 4:30 PM, during a meeting involving Sgt.
Weefar Beyan (AFL), ERU Officer Homer, civilian Joe Zaragba, and private security personnel Samuel Partuah.
Zaragba had accused Partuah of impersonating a member of the armed forces.
However, upon request, Partuah presented a valid ID confirming his status as a private security officer.
With no further grounds for concern, Sgt. Beyan and Cpl. Watson departed the scene.
Later that evening, Cpl. Watson was allegedly confronted by Officer Homer and two unknown men while walking along Palm Spring Main Street.
The group reportedly accused him of allowing Partuah to leave the earlier confrontation.
“I tried to explain I had no authority to detain Mr. Partuah,” Cpl. Watson stated in his report. “But they did not listen. They pushed me to the ground and started beating me.”
Cpl. Watson claims he was physically assaulted with sticks and sustained a serious injury to his right shoulder.
He managed to escape the assault and sought help from a passerby identified only as “Josephus,” who assisted him in contacting Camp Sandy Ware Military Barracks.
A rescue team was dispatched, and Watson was subsequently transported to the barracks.
From there, he was transferred to the 14 Military Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
The Armed Forces of Liberia has not yet issued a formal statement.
However, sources within the military confirm that the incident is under review.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) and ERU leadership are also expected to comment on the alleged involvement of Officer Homer.
The identities of the two men who accompanied Homer during the alleged assault remain unknown.
Human rights advocates and security analysts have voiced concern over the incident, citing the need for strict discipline, accountability, and professionalism across Liberia’s security sector.
“This is a serious matter,” said one legal expert familiar with the case. “If verified, it represents a troubling breakdown in coordination and respect among national security institutions.”
As investigations unfold, Cpl. Watson is calling for swift and impartial justice.
“I believe in the rule of law,” he emphasized. “All I want is a fair and transparent investigation.”
