By: John Abass Koroma
The remains of Mohamed Kamara with the alias name Speedo have been laid at the mortuary of the Port Loko Government Hospital in the morning hours of Tuesday January 12, 2021. He is the recent victim of the spate of armed robbery incidents that has created alarm in the district.
One Police officer Abu Bakarr Bangura – PC 15309 commonly called Oblofae has been implicated in the robbery and murder incident.
The implicated Police of the Operation Support Unit is said to have denied the charge and angry mobs have been on the rampage in the district protesting the murder incident. To control the riot that ensue the Police discharged tear gas canisters.
The Local Unit Commander, Chief Superintendent of police, Madison M Sesay has confirmed the arrest of six people including the OSD in question as well as a woman. Not much detail has been provided about those arrested in terms of their connections to the rising spate of armed robbery in the district.
Residents of Rogberay Junction alleged that Speedo was shot dead by armed robbers who demanded money from him after raiding his business place at night. Medical reports confirmed he died from gunshot wounds.
At the same government hospital, few meters from the mortuary laid Mohamed Barrie who was also allegedly shot at Fullah Town in Port Loko city by armed robbers. Barrie died when he and others came out in response to a distress call from Business woman Ramatulai Barrie. That was the third time in two months for the business woman to have been raided by armed robbers.
Many residents have complained that the Police Patrol Team has been ineffective in the face of the rising tide of armed robbery.
They say the police have only been vibrant during the COVID 19 lockdown when they were seen arresting curfew violators and extorting money from them.
The armed robbery victim who sustained a gunshot wound, Mohamed Barrie, is in a critical state and has been referred to Connaught Hospital in Freetown. According to the Local Unit Commander, no suspect and or arrest has been made.
In a related development a popular Drug Store owner, Issa Ben Kanu (known as Rasta) was attacked at his S I Curve residence in Port Loko on January 6th. Rasta and his wife sustained terrible injuries as result of the armed robbery incident and they are yet to recover from the machete wounds. Nobody has been arrested in connection with this matter.
A senior citizen in Port Loko, Madam Mariatu Songo Kanu speaking to A-Z news, lamented that their lives remain at threat and insecure because of the brazen actions of armed robbers.
Residents have insisted that during the days of Police commander FUK Daboh the menace was held in check owing to robust policing grounded on intelligence gathering to clamp down on the miscreants.
A to Z News intends to have an exclusive interview with the Crime Officer in the district to get their insights on what is unfolding.
