By: Ilyasa Baa
The northeast region is said to be relatively calm and peaceful with people going about their business after August 10 2022 unrest in Makeni, Kamakwei and Magburaka where atrocities were committed by unlawful demonstrators.
Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Media One for the northern region, Sergeant John Abass Kamara (former media practitioner) has made a clarion call for residents to go about their lawful business without fear over security. He said the police had used megaphone, especially in Makeni at the Clock tower vicinity where a senior officer was spotted announcing that there was nothing to worry about in terms of security. Sergt Kamara assured the public that the SLP is on top of security and that those that know they have no hands in the recent unrest should have nothing to fear.
On the issue of issuing approval for demonstration or rally, he said the SLP has provided smooth security for artists and other sectors who wanted to process the streets. He maintained that as for Makeni, those that want to process must write to the Local Unit Commander (LUC) and wait for his approval, adding that the Regional Commander supersedes all seven divisions in the region.
He said the police would not know the motive of the demonstrators that is why they provided adequate security. He said the use of tear gas is proportionate and is applied as a crowd control mechanism. “When we fire tear gas, it makes the crowd scatter because it burns”, Sergt. Kamara said. He described the actions of August 10 demonstrators as unlawful noting that offensive weapons were carried by demonstrators causing unprintable public disorder.
He spoke about the percentage of the civil population not commensurate to the 14, 000 police force in country. He said public safety is paramount and the SLP is opposed to lawlessness that is why they sometimes fire tear gas to control the crowd.
Meanwhile, residents of Makeni, Kamakwei and Magbura have been advised to co-operate with the ongoing investigation mounted by the Office of the Attorney – General and Minister of Justice who are currently in Makeni.
