By: Ilyasa Baa
The Regional Security Coordinator for the Northeast Region, at the Office of National Security (ONS), Mustapha Bonnie has called on youths in the region to conform to the laws of Sierra Leone and reframe from serving as political tools for those he referred to as opinion leaders at home and abroad.
Mr. Bonnie told A-Z newspaper in an exclusive interview at his Kabala Road office in Makeni that though the atmosphere in the region is relatively calm and peaceful, ONS, together with the District Security Committee (Disec) and the Provincial Security Committee (Prosec) have been using various platforms including open meetings to call for restraint amongst the youths, telling them about the dos and don’ts.
He said there is a better life for those youths who distance themselves from political violence and find something better to do instead of allowing people to misuse them against the State. He said it should be known to those perpetuating acts of violence that the law is no respecter of persons. He emphasized that the right of a person stops where the right of the next man starts which means that there are limitations on the rights of citizens at the same time, the State is obliged to provide security for her citizens.
“We have found out that these youths have been brainwashed by opinion leaders in the name of politics”, Mr Bonnie disclosed, adding that if they want regime change or change of government, they should partake in the voters’ registration process and cast their votes in the ballot box on Election Day. “That is the democratic method and not violence or through demonstration,” he concluded.
ONS has also settled scores of conflicts between cattle rearers and farmers within the region thereby contributing to food security. Issues of border disputes have also been looked into and amicably settled by the Regional office.
