Crime
Scores killed in Anti-government protest in Sierra Leone
Scores killed in Anti-government protest in Sierra Leone
By Bodunrin Kayode
Violent anti-government protests has erupted in some parts of the West African state of Sierra Leone leading to a high level of casualties.
The violence which started on Wednesday this reporter learnt was as a result of what some of the residents regard as very harsh policies of President Julius Mada-Bio who has been midwifing the nation since 2028.
Since the country came out of the covid 19 scourge which ravaged Freetown and all the provinces, they alleged that the government did not insert enough palliatives to enable young people get out of the economic crisis the scourge brought on them.
” As a matter of fact, it’s been one problem or the other since President Mada-Bio took charge as commander in Chief but he has been trying his best to insert stability onto the polity because he is in charge of the armed forces and not the chair of the police who were the main target of these demonstrators” said a source who wished to remain anonymous in the Sierra Leone High CommissionA it in Nigeria
Vice President Mohammed Jalloh confirmed in a nation wide broadcast today that there were gruesome casualties on both sides but was unable to be specific while announcing the curfew which started 3pm Freetown time yesterday.
Eye witnesses however told this reporter through phone that the anti-government protesters and police clash started mostly in the Eastern part of the capital and resulted in the death of at least two policemen who were
murdered by the opposition mob as at Wednesday evening.
” The rioters clashed with police in the streets of the East end of the capital due to tensions over the rising cost of living especially food and fuel. It was when the vice president who is the chair of the police gave the directive for the curfew to be effective that the tension heightened.
“But the West end area up to st John and beyond were mostly peaceful as most residents were seen gathered outside their homes discussing the unfolding development before the Government slammed the curfew starting from 3pm to stop the rioters who had started destroying Government properties worth millions of Leones including buses, cars and police stations in the provincial areas.
In his national broadcast on Wednesday, Vice President Mohamed Jalloh confirmed that lives have been lost on both sides of the fracas and that it was the business of Government to keep the peace of the state.
No comment was heard from President Julius Mada-Bio even as most of the protesters on Wednesday were calling for his resignation even before the anticipated general election in ten months time.
Incidentally, Mada Bio was elected President in 2018 and has about 10 months for his first term to end.
He however has already said that registration of new voters will commence on the 3rd of September so that the program for the next general elections can be rolled out accordingly.
Eye witnesses said that the demonstrators chanted “Bio must go” as they made their way from the hinterlands through the capital, Freetown.
The people of Sierra Leone have gone through a litany of lingering woes which includes a decade long war caused mostly by tribalism, outbreak of Ebola which engulfed the entire country resulting in very high casualties and the recent outbreak of corona which resulted in the death of hundreds in the war torn country still rising from the ruins of a civil war that ended in 2002.
Scores killed in Anti-government protest in Sierra Leone
Crime
Four abducted in bandit attack in Munya, Niger
Four abducted in bandit attack in Munya, Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
At least four persons were abducted by suspected armed bandits in Munya Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, when bandits invaded Siyona community via Mangorota, Kabula Ward in Munya LGA.
Sources said the attackers kidnapped four residents of the community and took them to an unknown destination.
The victims were identified as Iya Bulus, 20; Lami Bulus, 30; Ayelo Elisha, 15; and Soja Elisha, 15. They are all members of the Siyona–Mangorota community and of the Bagyi ethnic group.
The source said information about the attack was received at about 11:00 p.m. the same night. On receipt of the information, the troops of the Nigerian Army, police and vigilante personnel were swiftly mobilized to the scene.
The sources added that on arrival, the bandits had already fled with their captives.
According to the sources, intensive monitoring and intelligence gathering are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Four abducted in bandit attack in Munya, Niger
Crime
Nigerian Army’s 2 division launches operation Igbo Danu (operation forest flush) ….crushes terrorists in kwara state
Nigerian Army’s 2 division launches operation Igbo Danu (operation forest flush) ….crushes terrorists in kwara state
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army with massive support from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) has sustained coordinated offensive operations against terrorists within the Joint Operations Area (JOA), achieving notable successes between 23 and 29 January 2026.
These operations were conducted under the leadership of Major General Chinedu Nnebife, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), alongside Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, the Commander 22 Brigade.
A statement by captain Maureen Ogbuka for Acting Deputy Director 2 Division Army Public Relations Nigerian Army/ Sector 3 Operations FANSAN YAMMA noted that their efforts reflected a high operational responsiveness and determination to dismantle terrorist networks in the general area.
The statement noted that “in the engagements, troops , in collaboration with the ONSA conducted fighting patrols in several bandits enclaves.
“They successfully neutralised a terrorist, while others managed to escape into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds. Their hideouts and camps were completely destroyed leaving the brigands dislodged.
”Similarly, troops cleared Garin Dandi, a known enclave of bandits in the Ifelodun council Area of Kwara State leading to the decimation of the bandits logistics bases and supply system.
”Troops also stormed remote camps hitherto inaccessible to security forces where several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed significantly degrading the terrorists’ sustainment capability.
”Despite the difficult and restrictive terrain, troops maintained an aggressive posture throughout the forested areas, effectively denying the bandits freedom of movement.
“Furthermore, troops intercepted fleeing elements at various blocking positions, leading to the arrest of suspected bandits.
” The operations also resulted in the rescue of numerous kidnap victims from different camps in the state.
”Observations from the operations indicate that bandits receive support from collaborators within nearby communities, who provide intelligence on troop movements, enabling early withdrawal from targeted locations.
” The successes recorded underscored the resolve and operational effectiveness of the Divison in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security across Kwara State.
”The GOC 2 Division Nigerian Army has called on members of the public to continue to provide credible and timely information on bandits and their collaborators to enhance ongoing operations. The operation is ongoing to deal decisively with all terrorist networks operating within Kwara State.” Said the statement.
Nigerian Army’s 2 division launches operation Igbo Danu (operation forest flush) ….crushes terrorists in kwara state
Crime
Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47
Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops in Benue have repelled an attack on its personnel at a checkpoint in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, killing four suspected armed bandits and recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
Zagazola gathered that operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force were on stop-and-search duty at the Otukpa/Orakam checkpoint at about 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 29 when they stopped a black Golf 3 car for a routine search.
“The occupants resisted the search, pulled out firearms and engaged the policemen in a shootout,” the source said.
During the exchange, four of the bandits sustained fatal injuries. They were rushed to a hospital where they later died while receiving treatment. One suspect reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle with breech number 1960, 15 rounds of ammunition, a black Golf 3 vehicle with registration number KEF 909 ES, and assorted criminal charms.
The sources said efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspect.
Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47
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