A controversial police operation at the residence of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has triggered a political firestorm and raised serious concerns about the professionalism of Liberia’s law enforcement under the Boakai administration.
The incident unfolded when a large contingent of armed Liberia National Police (LNP) officers stormed Madam Sirleaf’s home without prior notice and arrested Mary Bloh, a former official who served in her administration. Bloh, whose name has recently surfaced in a wide-ranging anti-corruption probe, was taken into custody in what opposition leaders and observers have described as an untimely and wrongful arrest.
The shock and commotion caused by the raid reportedly led to a serious deterioration in the health condition of former President Sirleaf, who had to be rushed to a medical facility for emergency attention. Sources close to the family say she suffered a “stress-induced breakdown” following the aggressive police intrusion.
Critics wasted no time in denouncing the operation. Opposition political leaders have called the action “reckless, unprofessional, and politically insensitive,” especially considering Sirleaf’s status as Liberia’s first female president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
“To march into the residence of a former head of state with guns drawn and no prior communication is a dangerous precedent and shows poor judgment,” one opposition leader stated. “This was a serious breach of decorum and respect for our democratic institutions.”
They further argued that the lack of pre-notice and the military-style approach used by the police in a civilian arrest was not only excessive but also violated the dignity of a respected elder stateswoman, calling it a “clear abuse of power.”
The Boakai administration, already facing mounting criticism over the arrests of former officials linked to corruption investigations, has not yet issued an official statement on the incident. However, the Liberia National Police has defended the arrest, insisting that it was part of a legally sanctioned operation tied to ongoing investigations.
Still, the optics of heavily armed officers descending on the home of a revered former leader have intensified public debate about the government’s handling of justice and respect for due process.
As former President Sirleaf recovers under medical supervision, calls are growing for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to issue an apology and launch an investigation into the conduct of the LNP officers involved in the operation.
Political analysts warn that unless the government addresses the matter swiftly and transparently, it risks further eroding public trust and fueling perceptions of political intimidation disguised as law enforcement.
The coming days are likely to test the administration’s ability to balance its anti-corruption campaign with the fundamental principles of respect, legality, and constitutional decorum.
