By: Problyn J. Alpha
In a shocking and troubling incident, an 11-year-old girl, identified as Musu Bunduka of New London Section in Tankoro Chiefdom, has been taken into police custody for allegedly setting a residential house ablaze.
According to Sahr Momeh, the owner of the house, the incident occurred while he, his wife, and son were in a nearby room. He reported hearing someone pour a liquid believed to be petrol on the roof of the house, and upon investigation, he saw the building engulfed in flames. Momeh said he also witnessed Musu Bunduka attempting to flee the scene, but she was quickly apprehended.
Explaining his relationship with the suspect, Momeh stated that Musu became acquainted with his daughters, Mariama and Finda Momeh, and frequently visited them. Over time, she began staying overnight at the house. Concerned about potential legal and social implications of harboring a minor without parental consent, Momeh said he prohibited her from sleeping at his residence.
However, he later discovered that Musu had secretly gained access to a spare key and continued to enter the house at night without their knowledge, leaving early in the morning before anyone noticed.
Speaking to this reporter, Sahr Ellie, a tenant of the burnt property, explained that he was out of town when the incident occurred. Upon hearing of the fire, he returned immediately and found his entire rented apartment destroyed. He reported the incident to the Kembadu Police Post and was asked to provide a detailed estimate of his losses, which he valued at over Le 20,000.
However, Ellie expressed frustration with the police response. He claimed that upon returning to the station with the damage estimate, the officer in charge requested the keys to his motorbike, citing that it was unregistered and subject to seizure. He described the situation as suspicious and accused the officer of possible bias, alleging a personal relationship between the officer and the suspect.
Ellie further alleged that prior to the arson, Musu Bunduka had been previously detained at the same police post after being found in possession of an expensive mobile phone that her aunt and guardian, Madam Mabel Lebbie, believed she could not afford. According to Madam Lebbie, she filed a formal complaint, but was later shocked to discover that the girl had been released without her consent.
“I was not only her guardian but also the complainant in the matter. I was never informed that she had been released,” said Madam Lebbie. “Now she has gone on to commit a far more serious act. This is unprofessional and deeply disappointing.”
Efforts to get a comment from the police officer in question were unsuccessful, as he declined to speak on the matter. The police investigation is ongoing.