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
Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, intercept 200 rounds of ammunition in kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have arrested a suspected gunrunner and intercepted 200 rounds of ammunition in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A security source disclosed that the suspect was apprehended at about 3:15 a.m. on March 29 during a joint intelligence-led operation involving troops of 2 Battalion and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The source said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of the suspect, who was reportedly en route to Kaduna from Jos through Dambo community in Zaria.
“Troops swiftly established a snap checkpoint at Dambo, where the suspect was intercepted in possession of 200 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition,” the source said.
He added that the suspect has been handed over to ONSA for further investigation and necessary action.
The source noted that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, as well as disrupt criminal networks operating across the North-West and North-Central regions.
Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, intercept 200 rounds of ammunition in kaduna
Troops intercept vehicle conveying suspected terrorist logistics in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a vehicle conveying suspected logistics supplies meant for Boko Haram terrorists along Maiduguri–Mafa road in Borno State.
A military source disclosed that the vehicle, with registration number GZA 359 XA, was intercepted during a stop-and-check operation conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Mechanised) at a checkpoint.
According to the source, the interception followed a thorough search of the vehicle, which revealed several cartons of assorted medical drugs, motorcycle tubes, and brand-new motorcycle tyres concealed in sacks.
Other items recovered include mosquito nets, rolls of mats, cartons of air brake cylinders for heavy-duty trucks, and cartons of detergent.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the items lacked proper clearance and were being transported to Kusuri, a border town en route to Chad.
“All efforts to trace the owners of the items proved abortive,” the source said.
He added that the vehicle, recovered items, and the civilian drivers would be handed over to the appropriate military intelligence unit for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops intercept vehicle conveying suspected terrorist logistics in Borno
Troops arrest another suspected terrorist logistics supplier in maiduguri
By: Zagazola Malama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Maiduguri, Borno State.
A military source disclosed that the suspect, identified as Mohammed Adamu, 26, was apprehended at Muna Garage during an intelligence-led operation.
According to the source, the suspect was intercepted while conveying 25 one-litre containers of engine oil concealed in sacks, along with a sum of N624,900.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was on a mission to procure and supply logistics items, including motorcycle parts, to Boko Haram terrorists before his arrest.
“The suspect confessed to being involved in the supply of logistics to different террорист elements for a long period,” the source said.
Items recovered from him include 25 one-litre containers of engine oil, the cash sum of N624,900, one Infinix mobile phone, a power bank, a national identity card and three ATM cards.
The source added that the suspect would be handed over to the appropriate military intelligence unit for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops arrest another suspected terrorist logistics supplier in maiduguri
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