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 foreign terrorist fighter, alleged illegal immigrant in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a man suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter alongside a woman who claimed to be an illegal immigrant during a security operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended at about 11:48 a.m. on July 19 by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion operating in the Lassa–Dilli general area.
According to the sources, the first suspect, identified as Musa Fashir, 32, is alleged to be a Sudanese national suspected of having links to terrorist elements operating in the North-East.
The second suspect, identified as Mary Florence, 36, reportedly claimed during preliminary questioning to be an illegal immigrant from Ghana.
Both suspects are currently in military custody and are undergoing preliminary investigation to verify their identities, immigration status and any possible links to terrorist activities.
Military sources said further details would emerge as investigations progress, adding that the operation forms part of sustained efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt terrorist networks, identify foreign fighters and strengthen border security across the North-East.
Troops arrest suspected foreign terrorist fighter, alleged illegal immigrant in Borno
Suspected Berom Militia Shoot Eight Cattle in Attack on Herdsman in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Suspected Berom Militia have attacked a herder and his livestock in Nyerwie Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving eight cattle with gunshot wounds.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 6:25 p.m. on July 16, prompting troops of Sector 4, Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), to swiftly mobilise to the scene following a distress report.
However, the assailants fled before the arrival of the troops, evading arrest.
Security sources said preliminary findings indicated that the attackers opened fire on the herd, inflicting gunshot wounds on eight cows. No human casualty was reported during the incident.
Troops have since intensified efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects, while security has been reinforced in the area to prevent further escalation.
The military urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist in the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Suspected Berom Militia Shoot Eight Cattle in Attack on Herdsman in Plateau
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Gombe, Recover Weapons, Cash
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 233 Tank Battalion have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during a security operation in Mel Uku, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended at about 5:00 p.m. on July 16 following intelligence-led operations targeting criminal elements involved in cattle rustling in the area.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to having engaged in cattle rustling activities for more than two years.
Items recovered from the suspects include three mobile phones, three cutlasses, one bow with arrows, and the sum of ₦24,750 believed to be proceeds of their criminal activities.
The suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the cattle-rustling syndicate.
The arrest is part of ongoing operations by security forces to combat cattle rustling, banditry and other criminal activities across the North-East and adjoining states.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Gombe, Recover Weapons, Cash
Troops repel ISWAP assault on Gajigana military base, inflict heavy casualties
Troops arrest suspected foreign terrorist fighter, alleged illegal immigrant in Borno
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For 69th ECOWAS Summit in Freetown
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
