December 7, 2021
By: Aruna Kamara
Following the alleged gang rape incident that occurred on the 19th November 2021, along the Gumasaa Nyandehun highway in the Yawbeko Chiefdom, Bonthe District that urged the youths of Talia and Nyandehun villages to storm Blama village in a form of retaliation, burnt down houses, looted and damaged property worth millions of Leones from the above village on the suspicion that perpetrators of the alleged gang rape are from Blama.
Due to these two serious barbaric behavior in the said Chiefdom, people deserted from Blama, Nyandehun and Talia villages for fear of Police arrest in relation of the alleged destructions.
Against this background, a sting operation was planned under supervision and direction of the Regional Police Commander South AIG Aiah Edward Samadia in a bid to apprehend perpetrators.
On Friday 3rd December 2021, between the hours of 12 pm to 3am, the operations team led by the Regional Operations Officer South, Supt. Edward Abu Samura, assisted by ASP Mohamed H Bangura O/C OSD Bo East and ASP Durosemi Peeler O/C OSD Bo West Divisions left Bo City for Bonthe District to execute the planned operations.
Though it was complicated considering the volatile nature of the terrain, however, it was well executed and a total number of fifty two able bodied youths and a female were arrested at Gumasaa, Nyandehun and Talia villages simultaneously.
The fifty two suspects were further brought to Bo for further questioning in respect of the destructions at Blama village.
For the alleged gang rape saga, two suspects namely: – Tawa Karetu Conteh and Lansana Kailie were arrested following the day the gang rape incident was reported at Mattru Jong Police station.
Simultaneously, the two cases are under investigation while the rape victim is responding to treatment in Freetown.