The Black Johnson community is engulfed in turmoil following a large-scale land demolition that has left residents devastated and demanding justice. Churches, mosques, markets, and playgrounds have been razed, with individuals seizing the land and erecting perimeter fences. This demolition, reportedly carried out with the assistance of thugs and police officers, has sparked widespread anger and sorrow among the villagers.

The controversy centers around Mammy Rens and Bob Bangura, who assert ownership of approximately 328 acres in the Bottom Mango area of Black Johnson. The local residents, however, vehemently contest this claim. "They have turned us into refugees in our own homeland," one villager lamented, echoing the widespread sentiment of betrayal and helplessness within the community. The villagers are urgently calling for higher authorities to intervene and address what they perceive as an unlawful seizure of their ancestral land.

The demolition operation, executed on May 22 and May 23, 2024, involved over fifty armed thugs equipped with machetes, broken bottles, and knives, alongside police officers. Bulldozers were used to demolish structures across more than 300 acres, impacting over 300 private property owners and resulting in losses valued at billions of Leones.

HM Stella, the Village Head, revealed to the Concord Times that the community inherited the land from their ancestors and now faces illegal seizure. Among those accused of land grabbing is Major Tegeh Mansaray of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), though Major Mansaray denied any involvement, stating, "I am not the type that will intimidate civilians by virtue of my status as military personnel. Those who made the allegation got it wrong."

Contrastingly, Pa Momon Fofanah, the lawyer representing the accused, presented legal documents from the High Court of Sierra Leone to the Concord Times. These documents affirmed that the court had ruled in favor of Bernice Kenner as the rightful owner of the land at Black Johnson, located at Peninsula Circular Road. The court validated ownership of 294.0059 acres in plot one and 38.2622 acres in plot two, as delineated on Survey Plan L.S 335/65, attached to a Statutory Declaration dated June 20, 1968.

The core of the dispute lies in whether a private individual has the right to claim such an extensive tract of land. Villagers argue that essential community facilities, such as schools, are being unlawfully seized. The affected residents are fervently seeking government intervention through the Ministry of Lands and other relevant authorities. The community’s plight underscores the urgent need for a resolution to this contentious issue.

This situation has illuminated the broader issues of land rights and the use of force in property disputes in Sierra Leone. The Black Johnson community continues to advocate for justice, hoping for a fair resolution that respects their ancestral claims and the integrity of their community.