June 18, 2021
By Ilyasa Baa
The opening of a Police Post on the June 16, 2021 in the Mabrown community, Four Mile, was widely welcomed after a resident including a Fullah businessman was shot by armed robbers.
The lack of police presence was seen as an opportunity for frequent raids by thieves and the latest one involving the businessman was carried out while people were taking rest.
“The thieves were armed with pistols, appearing like manners from heaven, firing him with pistol and ended sustaining a bullet wound” according to police source.
Welcoming the move taken by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), the Headman of the village, Alie Kargbo said the setting up of the police post at this particular time is a step in the right direction. He lamented that his people have suffered a lot from the lack of security. “With this post, we don’t face the burden of traveling long distance to access the police anymore”, he narrated.
He said as Headman, he has worked with the stakeholders to ensure that a convenient space is provided for the post. He noted that petty theft and issues of land-grabbing are expected to reduce drastically, now that officers are visible on the ground. He called on the residents to fully cooperate with the security officers in the exercise of their duties. The headman said his mediation in land-grabbing cases has helped peace to reign over the years in his expanding village.
Inspector Mohamed Conteh, police media personnel for the Western Rural, expressed the need for strong police and community partnership to minimize crime in the entire village. He asked the village people to be law abiding noting that the Force for Good is not their enemy but friends who have come to help them with security so they will have peace.
Sierra Leoneans observing the security situation hinted us that the widespread armed robbery incidences could be difficult to ascertain not knowing whether “Babbooman” armed officers are involved in carrying out such dastardly act or not. Concerns have been raised however that some officers in the rural communities spend more time on drinking palm-wine than doing the actual work.
The village’s population has reached five hundred and the population is expected to rise over the years as more buildings are being constructed.