News
ECOWAS Court Fines Sierra Leone $25,000 for Violent Police Crackdown on Demonstrating Students
ECOWAS Court Fines Sierra Leone $25,000 for Violent Police Crackdown on Demonstrating Students
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the Republic of Sierra Leone to pay $25,000 as compensation to Mohamed Morlu, a Sierra Leone citizen, for violating his fundamental human rights.
Morlu had sued the Republic of Sierra Leone after he sustained a gunshot wound during a students’ protest in March 2017, at which officers of the Sierra Leonean police force fired shots to disperse the demonstrators.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Edward Amoako Asante declared that the Respondent state violated Mr. Morlu’s right to security of the person, freedom from torture, the right to an effective remedy contrary to the provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention against Torture.
The Court ordered that the government must pay for any upcoming surgery needed to remove the bullet from the gunshot, which is still stuck in the Applicant’s abdomen. In addition, the Court ruled that the government must quickly investigate, find, and prosecute the officers who shot the Applicant during the student protest and take measures to properly train its law enforcement officers on crowd control.
Morlu was a student at Njala University in Bo City, Sierra Leone, in March 2017 when a four-month strike by lecturers at the University disrupted academic work. On 23 March 2017, students at the University went on a third protest march to present their grievances to the Ministry of Education. In an attempt to disperse the demonstrators, officers from the Operation Support Division (OSD) of the Sierra Leone Police Force fired shots into the crowd, injuring Morlu and other students.
Morlu was hospitalized, underwent surgery, and later sought medical treatment in Ghana due to complications from the bullet.
In its defense to the suit at the ECOWAS Court, the Respondent State asserted that the protesting students blocked roads and obstructed traffic. The police tried to contain the situation but were met with resistance from the students, some of whom pelted the police with stones. In the ensuing escalation, the police fired some warning shots, one of which accidentally injured the Applicant. The Respondent, therefore, denied that it violated Mr. Morlu’s human rights.
In the judgment, the Court rejected the Respondent’s claim that Morlu was injured accidentally, finding that the firing of live ammunition into the crowd of protesting students by the police was unjustified. The Court also upheld the Applicant’s case that he suffered torture and that the Respondent failed to provide effective redress by investigating, identifying, and prosecuting the perpetrators.
The panel of judges were Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Judge Rapporteur for the case, and Justices Gberi-Bè Ouattara and Sengu M. Koroma.
ECOWAS Court Fines Sierra Leone $25,000 for Violent Police Crackdown on Demonstrating Students
News
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and hunters, have rescued a kidnapped civilian in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Security sources said the troops, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Udomi, responded to credible intelligence at about 9:00 a.m. on April 21 regarding the abduction of a civilian in the Amendokhian general area.
The troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation and successfully secured the release of the victim.
The victim has since been reunited with family members, while efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
Military
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have rescued a kidnapped victim following a swift response to a suspected terrorist attack in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources disclosed that the troops, deployed at Abaji, acted on a report at about 1:45 p.m. on April 21 regarding an attack at Tumataa community.
On arrival, the troops engaged the suspected terrorists in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee the scene.
The victim was successfully rescued and has since been reunited with family members.
The sources added that troops are sustaining operations in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
News
Troops Arrest Illegal Arms Manufacturers, Recover Weapons in Plateau
Troops Arrest Illegal Arms Manufacturers, Recover Weapons in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have arrested two suspected illegal arms manufacturers during a raid on a criminal hideout in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was carried out at about 5:00 p.m. on April 22 at Gwandanu Village, following credible intelligence on illicit arms production in the area.

According to the sources, the suspects were apprehended while actively engaged in the fabrication of weapons.
Items recovered during the operation include two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, two generating sets, a welding machine, a drilling machine, a hand filer and a toolbox, among other items.
The suspects are currently in military custody pending further investigation.

The sources added that troops have intensified efforts to mop up illegally fabricated arms in the general area as part of ongoing operations to curb criminal activities and enhance security in the state.
Troops Arrest Illegal Arms Manufacturers, Recover Weapons in Plateau
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