International

Curfew revoked, life returns to normal in Sierra Leone

Published

3 years ago

August 19, 2022

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Curfew revoked normal life returns to normal in Sierra Leone

Curfew revoked, life returns to normal in Sierra Leone

By Bodunrin Kayode

The Government of Sierra Leone has revoked the curfew which was imposed on the country recently due to violent demonstrations by some angry sections.

A release from the office of the inspector General of Police, William Sellu recently stated that “following the declaration of a nationwide curfew by the Vice President of Sierra Leone, the general public was notified that the curfew which came in force on the 10th August has been revoked.”

It can be recalled that the curfew was speedily enforced from 3pm on the 10th of August when hundreds of young people demonstrated in certain sections of the country over what they described as excruciating economic conditions forced on them by the government.

They called on the civilian Government of President Julius Mada-Bio to resign because it had become unpopular in their opinion and unable to settle the carry over of fiscal burdens forced on it by the covid 19 scourge.

The Government quickly adjusted the timing of the shut down in the following day to start from 7am and that applied for both the 11th to 12th August 2022.

However on the 13th of August, the curfew was lifted completely in those areas which were affected and people were free to go around without necessarily being essential workers who were the only once allowed to move during the calming of the street violence.

Reports monitored from Sierra Leone indicated that properties worth millions of Leones were destroyed in some parts of the Eastern area of the capital, Makeni, Magburaka, kamakwie and surrounding.

There was tension in some parts of the western area but it remained basically peaceful especially Murray town, Wilkinson road, Lumley and beyond because people went about their normal lives unhindered.

While the blood letting was going on in some parts, some allegedly inciting videos were making the rounds in the social media calling out some sections of the country to protest and hold the streets in a military fashion till the President resigns.

One of the audio with a male voice who called himself Adebayo was saying that the military was badly divided with tribal bigots adding that it was time to remain alert because “anything could happen on the very night of the 12 of August when the killings continued” which was the day it went viral.

Similar audios from one Salone cashbox kept on inciting the people of the country with an anticipitation that the military should take over political power again in the Country.

“We know that there are some people in the military playing the tribal card at this time of our democracy. So my people be prepared because anything can happen before tomorrow morning.

“Just be well informed that whatever happens will be for the good of everyone. For some of us we believe that if the government is not ready to protect the constitution and the people, then the military will do just that.

” I urge you all to come out and embrace the change which we are all anticipating because we will not continue to suffer under this Government.” Said the male voice who called himself cash box in the audio which was circulated in the major cities.

Response on the “boys scout” accusation by a lady wearing military fatigue

Indeed many videos of gory pictures of the killings that took place within 48 hours even of uniformed personnel during those days before the imposition of the curfew but the military refused to respond to the call to sack the government.

Rather a lady dressed in army uniform appeared in one of the videos appealing to Sierra Leoneans to be careful how quick they respond to incitements.

“My.name is Turuge and I joined the Army at a tender age of 12 in 1991. Most of you may not understand what we went through during the civil war which is why you are involved in this violence.

” Some of you are calling soldiers boys scout because we refused to seize power. I agree you can call us any name you like but we will not take over this government because you say so. It’s not right.

“The government of President Mada-Bio is a democratically elected government and nobody will push us to do the wrong thing again.

“My people I am talking with pains in my heart and I want you to understand that war is not good eventhough I am a soldier. I fought in the war front and I saw many of our compatriots pay the supreme sacrifice while many others lost their limbs.

” Please stop calling on the military simply because you don’t know the implications. I beg you please do not take us back to that route again and stop inciting us to take over it’s not popular anymore” she said in an emotional krio voice.

National wide broadcast

As a response to the violent protests, President Julius Mada-Bio addressed the nation and promised to get to the root of the violence which took the life of an unspecified number of civilians and 4 policemen.

Speaking as the commander in Chief of Armed forces, he said no stone will be turned to get to the bottom of what happened to the country.

He resultantly ruffled feathers at the top brass level where sitting Defense Chief Lt General Sullay Sesay was replaced by a new Chief Lt General Peter Lavahun.

Seven other top brasses were moved around to tighten up the defense flank while he promised to protect every citizen of his country.

The President said that he has enough Intelligence details to establish that what happened on the 10th of August in those selected areas was an insurrection sponsored by some unnamed politicians adding that anyone nabbed would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

President Julius Mada-Bio was a military head of State from 16th January to 29th March 1996 in a junta called the national provincial ruling council (NPRC) which overthrew captain Valentine Straser.

His second coming as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone in 2018 was as a civilian and Brigadier General (Rt) and has been stabilizing the polity as the flag bearer of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) since then.

The country has gone through some litany of woes which includes, a decade long civil war followed by the scourge of Ebola and covid 19 lock down which practically crippled the economy and sent millions to their early grave.

International

Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who died on Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 years.

The departed Holy Father, the political head of Vatican City and the head of the Catholic Church, was described in the statement as a global moral leader whose papacy was marked by humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to peace, social justice, and the dignity of all people.

The statement read: “Nigeria commiserates with the teaming population of the catholic church in the country and joins the international community, particularly the Catholic faithful worldwide, in mourning this immense loss. Pope Francis’ deep concern for the marginalized; including refugees, the poor, and victims of conflict, resonated strongly in Nigeria, where his calls for interreligious harmony and solidarity were a beacon of hope amid challenges.

“His historic 2022 apology for the Church’s role in colonial injustices, including the suffering of Indigenous peoples, indeed set a powerful example of reconciliation. Also worthy of commendation is his advocacy for peace in Africa, and other conflict areas in the world, reflecting his universal pastoral mission.”

The statement further read that: “In this moment of grief, therefore, Nigeria extends heartfelt condolences to the Vatican, the Catholic Church, and the Argentine people, who gifted the world this extraordinary pontiff.

“We pray for the repose of his soul and trust that his legacy of mercy, dialogue, and care for our common home will endure.”

Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

International

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected abduction occurred on April 18, 2025, when Mr. Yangi Ming, a Chinese national working at Panda Supermarket in Jabi, was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Mr Yangi Ming left his residence at Stargate Apartment in Durumi around 1700hrs and was last seen wearing brown shorts and a black polo shirt.

His sister, Aisha Pan, residing in Sharanda, Kano State, later received a ransom demand of ₦300 million, made from Yangi Ming’s mobile phone number.

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

International

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

Published

3 weeks ago

April 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two siblings at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during a planned travel to India with 5 kilogrammes of cocaine.

The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday said: “Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two brothers: John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos with 5 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in walls of their suitcases while attempting to board a flight to India.”

He said the two brothers were arrested at the Lagos airport last Thursday following proactive processing of credible intelligence. He said they claimed they were travelling to India for medical treatment but when their suitcases were thoroughly searched by NDLEA officers, whitish powdery substances later confirmed to be cocaine were discovered on the walls of their bags.

Babafemi said in a similar development, NDLEA officers of the MMIA Strategic Command same day, Thursday intercepted a 20-year-old Ghanaian – British man, Parker Osei with 36 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 19.4 kilogrammes packed in a giant travelling bag. The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport.

In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria.

NDLEA operatives in Kogi state have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Ngozi Ogili while moving 3 kilogrammes of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja. She was nabbed in a commercial transport bus along Okene-Lokoja highway last Monday. Babafemi said a follow up operation at her point of delivery in Apo mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of quantities of Loud and Colorado, both synthetic strains of cannabis.

In Abia state, NDLEA officers on Saturday arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nnanna Felix with 1.6 kilogrammes skunk, a strain of cannabis during a raid at Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West local government area, while another suspect David Chinemerem, 21, was nabbed with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode road, Aba last Tuesday.

No fewer than 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu along Potiskum-Damaturu road, Yobe state by NDLEA operatives on Saturday, just as raid operations at Osogbo motor park, Onitsha and a house at Oba in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra state led to the arrest of Obinna Sunday and the seizure of 195,000 pills of tramadol. Also arrested during the raid at the motor park was Ugochukwu Ojalanonye with 4.2 kilogrammes codeine syrup and 5.4kg pentazocine.

In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NDLEA operatives last Thursday arrested 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu with 25 kilogrammes skunk and 90.4 grammes of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Wuse market Abuja, while two women: Faith Etim, 64, and Victoria Etim, 40, were nabbed lasr Friday when NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army raided cannabis plantations in Esuk-Odot community, Odukpani local government area of Cross River State where 250,000 kilogrammes of the psychoactive plant were destroyed on over 100 hectares of farm land.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Yobe, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River and FCT commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport