Monrovia — Dozens of residents of Saye City Group in Sinkor, Monrovia, have been rendered homeless following the demolition of their properties. This motion has sparked public outrage, emotional appeals from victims, and sharp political reactions from each the ruling Unity Get together and the opposition.
By Endurance M. Jones
Residents say the demolitions had been carried out abruptly and with out ample discover, forcing households—together with girls, kids, and the aged—into the streets with nowhere to hunt refuge.
“The folks need to kill us. That’s their plan,” mentioned Victor N. Carpulee, one of many affected residents, standing amid the rubble of what was as soon as his dwelling. “You’ll be able to’t transfer in a single day to destroy our properties and make us homeless. It is a nation ruled by the rule of legislation, and the legislation should be used properly.”
In response to victims, the demolition train was swift, leaving residents unable to salvage private belongings or safe different shelter. A number of accused authorities of extreme power and whole disregard for his or her welfare.
The eviction has displaced complete households. A faculty serving roughly 100 college students was demolished, leaving kids out of college, whereas a spot of worship was broken, plunging congregants into misery.
Property Proprietor Speaks
One of many affected property homeowners, Mom Dansue D. Robinson, expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, saying she by no means anticipated the sudden eviction.
In response to Mom Robinson, the demolition befell on Saturday, January 31, at about 6:00 a.m.
“They broke in, pressured us out together with our belongings, and instantly started demolishing the property,” she mentioned. “No time was given for us to vacate. We solely heard rumors that folks had been coming, however we had been by no means knowledgeable of the precise time. We additionally didn’t obtain any courtroom papers or official eviction discover.”
Mom Robinson, who can be a pastor, introduced a doc dated 2022–2025, which she mentioned was the one authorized paper in her possession, indicating that the Johnson household had received the land case. She insisted that no enforcement discover or formal communication was served earlier than the demolition.
She disclosed that she misplaced three homes, together with one seven-bedroom and one six-bedroom construction, condominium complexes, a college, and a church—the Kings of Kings Therapeutic and Deliverance Ministry and the Kings of Kings Faculty System.
In response to Pastor Robinson, the varsity was supposed to function a beacon of hope for younger folks locally.
“The scholars had been ready for his or her checks, however all the pieces was destroyed,” she mentioned. “The varsity had about 100 college students, and the church practically 200 members. We now have nowhere to take the kids, even to sit down their exams.”
Overwhelmed by the loss, she added, “My coronary heart is bleeding. All the things I labored for is gone. We’re all Liberians—little kids of this land. When such conditions come up, there ought to be dialogue, not power.”
Human Rights Considerations Raised
Carpulee described the eviction as a violation of human rights. He mentioned he was out of city in Grand Bassa County when he obtained an eviction discover—on the identical day the demolition occurred.
“That is irritating and unfair,” Carpulee mentioned. “Individuals mustn’t get up to demolition groups destroying their properties.”
Residents say they’ve been disgraced and rendered homeless in their very own nation, calling on the courts and authorities to hunt a good decision that considers each events within the dispute in addition to harmless renters caught within the center.
“This dispute is between two events, but renters have turn out to be the victims,” residents mentioned, warning that such actions threat reopening previous wounds from Liberia’s previous.
Political Reactions Mount
The demolitions have drawn condemnation from political leaders, together with Rev. Luther Tarpeh, Nationwide Chairman of the Unity Get together.
“Whereas the Unity Get together firmly helps the rule of legislation, the demolition of properties of Liberians within the Saye Group is kind of regarding and pathetic,” Rev. Tarpeh mentioned. “We should all lend a serving to hand to those folks in these troublesome occasions.”
Rev. Tarpeh additionally expressed solidarity with Rep. Prince Toles, the District #8 lawmaker representing the affected residents.
“We stand with you, Honorable Prince Toles, in your effort to ease the ache of our residents,” he added.
Nonetheless, the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has condemned the train and accused Rep. Toles of failing to behave in time to guard his constituents.
The CDC Youth League described the court-ordered eviction as “devilish” and “prison.” Talking to residents, Youth League Chairperson Alvin Wesseh issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, demanding authorities intervention.
Wessah warned that failure to behave would compel the group to mobilize nationwide resistance towards future demolitions and urged communities to withstand people claiming possession of disputed lands.
The demolition adopted a January 8, 2026, Civil Legislation Courtroom order issued by Choose Bioma Konton, mandating the eviction of occupants from the disputed land in Saye City.
Former Speaker Fonati Koffa, a senior CDC determine, additionally weighed in, describing the demolition as “mean-spirited.”
“It’s mean-spirited to demolish folks’s properties with out a relocation plan, whether or not or not they’re squatters,” Koffa mentioned.
Rep. Toles Responds
Responding to the criticism, Rep. Prince Toles accused opposition figures of politicizing what he described as a long-standing non-public authorized dispute.
“It’s unlucky that outstanding partisans of the opposition are exploiting this case for political acquire,” Toles mentioned, stressing that the case predates the present administration.
The lawmaker mentioned he shares within the grief of affected residents and stays engaged in efforts to offer help, insisting that his focus stays on the welfare of his constituents relatively than political point-scoring.
Toles referenced a earlier courtroom ruling involving the previous CDC headquarters, noting that no relocation or compensation was offered to displaced occupants on the time. He accused critics of hypocrisy and challenged them to current proof to counter his claims.
Clarifying his place, Rep. Toles emphasised that the Sayetown land will not be his private property and reaffirmed his dedication to advocate for District #8 residents.
In the meantime, stories point out that the landowner, businessman Eric Nagbe, has been making efforts to help some affected residents with resettlement help.
