By: Mohamed Sahr
In the bid of restoring safety and security across all learning institutions, the Sierra Leone Police has arrested twenty six (26) students of the Freetown Teachers College for riotous conduct during a matriculation event held in the college environment in a press conference held on Tuesday 7th February 2023.
Edward Aiah Samadia, Assistant Inspector General and Regional Commander Freetown-East said on Thursday 2nd February a number of students of the Freetown Teachers College in Jui stormed the college during a matriculation event and demonstrated a riotous conducts thereby pelting stones within the premises of the college. He added that the Sierra Leone Police made a quick response to a call from the Principal and arrested twenty six students.
AIG Samadia revealed that even though these students had been released, the Sierra Leone Police would continue to investigate the matter.
Mohamed Rex Bhonapha, President for the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS) thanked the Inspector General of Police Williams Fayia Sellu and other security stakeholders for the release of these students as they would prepare themselves to resume their normal classes. President Bhonapha assured the Sierra Leone Police that they would right the wrongs and display good mannerism and integrity in the best interest of the country.
Commissioner Samadia furthered that the police would continue to work proactively in order to disband otherwise eliminate all ghettos, rendezvous and other hotspot areas where criminal activities had been taking place especially at Deep Eye Water in the Eastern part of Freetown. “We are doing this as a way of weeding out all criminal activities and we are able to arrest some dangerous substances during this process,’’ Mr. Samadia said.
Victor Manfred Williams, Commissioner of Police and Regional Commander Freetown-West disclosed that the Sierra Leone dispatched security personnel during the official launching of the Learning Institution which took place at the Bintumani Conference. He said as of now the entire region of Freetown-West remains relatively calm and people are busy with their normal chores.
Edna Silver, Head of Community Relations Department said the department had continued with its community engagement and sensitization drive across the country; adding that they had dispatched their members at various parts of the country in footing their mandatory crusade. She mentioned that the Director had been keen to engage the recruits on the significant of community policing. “We want our recruits before they come out of the public to know something about community police’’, Silver stated.