January 14, 2021
By: James Kamara-Manneh
The Sierra Leone Police in their press release issued on the 7th January 2021, stated that some of their officers have been named in in illegal sand mining at Hamilton and other restricted coastal settlements in the western rural district. The release notes that some of these Police officers have been colluding with members of the public in committing the crime.
The Police leadership is appalled by this act and sends out a word of caution for its officers to desist forthwith from providing cover for the illegal sand mining. In the same vein, members of the public are urged to also stop committing the crime, lest they will face the harsh reality of the law.
Responding to questions from A-Z multimedia, Superintendent Brima Kamara (Media 1), said they have not apprehended anyone from the Force nor any member of the Public. He further said that the Police sometimes act on tip off “and it was prudent enough to have issued such press release” as a preemptive measure to deter criminals engaged in the act.
When asked whether the Police act upon rumor rather than having tangible proof before issuing press release he said; “rumor could be one. We get reports from the public about potential or probable aiding, abetting and connivance of service personnel, hence the need to come out open to show how transparent we want to be in dealing with issues of that nature.”
Illegal sand mining has affected houses along Freetown Coastal beaches and the practice has been ongoing for many years, despite efforts by government to curtail the incident.
Superintendent Kamara reminded the public that they have a duty of protecting the environment and asked everyone to supportive of that aspiration.
