By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Office of the President has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct a thorough investigation into alleged police brutality at the Lifeline Nehemiah Projects (LNP) compound in Kuntorlor, Freetown.
According to a letter from State House, the President received a complaint from Mr. Prince Tommy Williams, Executive Director of Lifeline Nehemiah Projects, requesting urgent action. Consequently, the President instructed IG Faya Sellu to swiftly investigate the matter.
On Saturday, 14 February 2026, armed police officers, reportedly under the command of the Kissy Police Local Unit Commander, LUC CSP Eric Murana Kamara, allegedly stormed the LNP compound. During the operation, the officers reportedly destroyed a carpentry shop and an unfinished building belonging to the organization.
Ezekiel Marrah, the owner of the carpentry shop, recounted the incident: “I went to open my shop and saw a police van with armed officers outside. I was shocked to see them demolishing my property. I immediately informed Mohamed Turay, a senior staff member at Lifeline, who then escorted me to the site where my shop had already been destroyed.”
Mr. Marrah added that the officers also began demolishing the unfinished LNP building. When Mr. Turay questioned the police about their actions, he was arrested and detained at the Kissy Barracks Police Station.
The officers allegedly claimed that part of the Ministry of Social Welfare’s disability construction zinc had been destroyed and that Lifeline staff or the carpentry shop owner might have knowledge of the incident.
Marrah expressed concern over the actions, stating: “The police should protect the community, not destroy properties. Demolishing assets that cost significant money is a recipe for chaos. They even warned that they would return to destroy the remaining structures, which is alarming and unacceptable.”
Mohamed Turay, a senior Lifeline official, was also arrested and detained at the Kissy Police Division during the incident.
The President’s directive to the IGP underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability and protecting citizens from unlawful actions, emphasizing that security forces must act in accordance with the law while safeguarding community safety and property.