August 2, 2021
By Ilyasa Baa
Operations of the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA) at the Bamoi Luma checkpoint was halted last week by okada riders who attacked Road Safety Corps resulting to the hospitalization of four Corps and the arrest of four suspects who are currently detained at the Kambia Police Station.
Our sources in Kambia have revealed that the deployment of the Road Safety Corps at the checkpoint has not been favored by the riders. The Corps were said to have been very active arresting unlicensed motor bikes plying the border.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the SLRSA, Abdul Karim Dumbuya, the recent attack on their personnel culminates into the seventh time they have been attacked by riders. He described the recent one as the worst noting that such attack should be treated as a serious threat to national security by the Sierra Leone Police. He called on the police to step up and put an end to the malicious attack of their personnel whom he said are in the streets carrying out their duties.
Dumbuya referred to Road Safety Corps as decent personnel noting that the public is always welcome if they have evidence of corruption against any Corp. He recalled that a Corp was relieved of his duties after found wanting for collecting bribe in the streets.
The National Bike Riders Union has distanced itself from the riotous conduct exhibited in Kambia.
Meanwhile, the four Corps were critically injured and are currently responding to treatment as the police mount intensive investigation into the unfortunate incident.
However, members of the public have frowned on the repeated attack against law enforcers and are calling for a probe into what is responsible for the numerous acts of violence against state institutions by okada riders.
Ex-teacher, Alhaji Mansaray opined that some of the riders have metamorphosed into gangsterism causing trouble and mayhem in the district.