Crime

Scores killed in Anti-government protest in Sierra Leone

Published

4 years ago

August 11, 2022

Ochuwa Ibrahim

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

One killed, another injured as Lakurawa bandits attack cattle range in Sokoto

Published

1 hour ago

February 22, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

One killed, another injured as Lakurawa bandits attack cattle range in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

One person has been killed and another injured following an attack by suspected Lakurawa armed bandits on a cattle range on the outskirts of Tangaza along the Nigeria–Niger border in Sokoto State.

Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 20 at about 9:15 p.m., when a large group of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons reportedly stormed the area, opening fire on residents.

Army Forward Operating Base, and other security forces were swiftly mobilized to the scene. The troops confirmed that one Yahaya Al-Hassan, 30, was shot dead, while Bello Muhammad sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg.

The attackers reportedly rustled an unspecified number of domestic animals before fleeing into a nearby forest. The deceased and the injured victim were evacuated to the General Hospital Tangaza for autopsy and treatment.

The troops said efforts were being intensified to apprehend the assailants and recover the stolen livestock. Confidence-building patrols by joint security teams are ongoing in the area to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.

One killed, another injured as Lakurawa bandits attack cattle range in Sokoto

Crime

Bandits abduct villagers, rustle cattle in Zamfara

Published

2 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Bandits abduct villagers, rustle cattle in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have abducted several villagers and rustled an unspecified number of cattle following an attack on Kuya village in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 21 at about 12:00 p.m., when armed men carrying AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons stormed the village via Kekun Waje district.

The assailants reportedly abducted an unknown number of residents and drove away a yet-to-be-quantified number of cattle to an unknown location.

The sources said the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were immediately deployed to pursue the bandits, with efforts focused on rescuing the abducted victims and recovering the stolen livestock.

Security forces have intensified operations in the area to restore normalcy and prevent further attacks.

Bandits abduct villagers, rustle cattle in Zamfara

Crime

Kidnap victim found dead in Adamawa, security forces launch manhunt

Published

2 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Kidnap victim found dead in Adamawa, security forces launch manhunt

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces have launched a manhunt for suspected kidnappers following the discovery of the body of a ransom bearer who was abducted alongside others in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Security sources said the case was reported on Feb. 21 at about 4:00 p.m. by the Village Head of Mallam Madugu, Aminu Modibbo Bakura, at a police station in the area.

According to the sources, two residents – Usman Ibrahim, 45, and Abubakar Arwa, 65 – were initially kidnapped on Feb. 10 at about 9:00 a.m. by unknown gunmen who took them to an undisclosed location. The incident was not formally reported at the time.

Sources said that after a ransom of N1 million was arranged, two other residents, Abubakar Abdullahi, 28, and Ahmadu Ibrahim, 55, went to deliver the payment on Feb. 18 at about 5:00 p.m., but were also abducted by the assailants.

The matter came to light when, on Feb. 21 at about 2:00 p.m., the corpse of Abubakar Abdullahi was discovered.

Police operatives who visited the scene observed three bullet wounds on the deceased and recovered seven empty AK-47 ammunition shells.

The body was evacuated to a cottage hospital in Girei for autopsy, while investigations commenced.

Authorities said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators, assuring residents that security operations had been intensified across the area to curb kidnapping and related crimes.

Kidnap victim found dead in Adamawa, security forces launch manhunt