By: Mohammed Sahr
According to the Sierra Leone Press release dated 15th August 2022 revealed that during a crossfire between armed individuals and the security forces at Station Road in Makeni, one Hassan S. Dumbuya aka ‘’Evangelist Samson’’ was killed and four others were arrested.
The release informed the general public that following the insurrection by misguided individuals on the 10th of August 2022 which destroyed properties and loss of lives in the affected areas, the security forces conducted raids in hideouts for perpetrators of the said insurrection.
Willam Fayia Sellu stated that targeted areas in Freetown were successfully raided and suspects arrested were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters for thorough investigations. He said to prevent any other insurrection; similar raids were extended to towns and cities in the provinces including Makeni, Magburaka and Kamakwie.
He revealed that acting on intelligence, the security forces were successful in their raids of several hideouts in Makeni where suspects arrested were handed over to the Police for investigations; adding that when the security forces stormed a place where ex-combatants had assembled poised to make further attacks. He said these ex-combatants ran away.
Brima Jah, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Acting Director of Operations in a press conference with a journalist on the same day said when they were pursuing wanted individuals; the public was instrumental in identifying people who were considered wanted. He recommended the fourth estate in making critical observations and analyses of happenings.
‘’We are very aware of what happened on that fateful day. Before that, social media were saturated with information indicating that there would be some form of the incident in Freetown. However, the police put in place the necessary structures,’’ Brima Jah said.
He assured the public of their safety and security as one of the core values of the Sierra Leone Police; adding that they had done joint deployment of personnel nationwide. He said the police had sourced individuals with regards to the update of information. Brima Jah apprised the media in aiding and abetting them in the discharge of their functions with the free call number 119.
Abdul Karim Will, Deputy Strategic Communication person at the Office of the National Security (ONS) said they are disheartened by the ugly situations that took place on the 8th, 9th and 10th August 2022. He said conscious efforts were made to engage the public, especially the youths to ensure that they adhere to the law. ‘’This country is a country of laws. Like any other democratic country, people are expected to live within the law,’’ Abdul Karim Will said.
Sierra Leone Police expressed concerns about the insurrection that led to the death of both security personnel and civilians during a press conference held at the police headquarter.
