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 Neutralise Five Terrorists in Ambush Operation in North-East
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, have neutralised five suspected terrorists during a successful ambush operation conducted in Borno State.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was carried out on April 29 by troops deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Mayanti area, as part of ongoing offensive operations under Operation Desert Sanity.
According to the sources, the troops had laid an ambush at a strategic location based on credible intelligence before coming into contact with a group of insurgents later in the evening.
“The troops engaged the terrorists effectively upon contact, resulting in the neutralisation of five of them,” the source said.
Items recovered from the scene include two bicycles, fabric materials and food supplies, believed to have been used for logistics by the fleeing insurgents.
The troops have since redeployed to another tactical position to continue offensive operations and deny the terrorists freedom of movement within the area.
Military authorities said the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high, as operations continue to sustain pressure on insurgent elements across the North-East theatre.
Operation HADIN KAI has in recent months intensified clearance and ambush operations aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring normalcy to affected communities in the region.
Troops Neutralise Five Terrorists in Ambush Operation in North-East
Troops Neutralise Four Terrorists, Recover Arms in Sambisa Axis
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised four suspected terrorists and recovered arms and logistics items during an ambush operation in the Sambisa forest axis of Borno.
Security sources said the operation was conducted in the early hours of April 30 by troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade in conjunction with local vigilante forces.
The sources disclosed that the troops mobilised to a suspected terrorist crossing point in the general area of “Charlie Five” following credible intelligence on insurgent movement.
“Contact was made with the terrorists advancing from the Yale axis towards the Sambisa Forest, and the troops immediately engaged them with superior firepower,” the source said.
During exploitation of the area, four terrorists were neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with 12 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Other items recovered include two bags of ground maize and a pack of spaghetti, believed to be part of the terrorists’ food supplies.
The ambush team subsequently returned safely to base without casualties, while monitoring and clearance operations continue in the area.
Military authorities said the general security situation in the axis remains calm, with troops maintaining high morale and operational efficiency.
Operation HADIN KAI continues to sustain offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring peace across the North-East region.
Troops Neutralise Four Terrorists, Recover Arms in Sambisa Axis
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Four Victims in Bauchi
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 82, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have foiled a kidnap attempt in Jigi village, Lere District of Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, rescuing four abducted persons.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:05 p.m. on April 28 when troops deployed at Bafawa Balewa responded to intelligence on a kidnapping incident in the area.
The sources disclosed that on sighting advancing troops, the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled into nearby bushes.
According to the sources, the four rescued victims were immediately secured and later handed over to the Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Lere District, for identification and further necessary action.
They added that troops have intensified patrols in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activity along the axis
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Four Victims in Bauchi
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