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 Intercept 11 Jerrycans of Suspected Smuggled Fuel in Adamawa
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted 11 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, suspected to be smuggled to terrorist elements in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the seizure was made at about 12:27 p.m. on June 26 by troops of the 247 Reconnaissance Battalion during a strangulation operation along the Maiha–Maiha Gari Road.
The sources said the smugglers abandoned the products and fled on sighting the troops, escaping into nearby bushes before they could be apprehended.
A total of 11 jerrycans containing Premium Motor Spirit were recovered from the scene.
The recovered petroleum products have been taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Military sources said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt the supply of logistics to terrorist groups operating in the North-East by denying them access to essential commodities, including fuel.
The sources added that troops have continued to sustain intelligence-driven strangulation operations across the theatre to block terrorist supply routes and dismantle their support networks.
Troops Intercept 11 Jerrycans of Suspected Smuggled Fuel in Adamawa
Troops Neutralise 2 Terrorists, Recover Rifles, Ammunition in Kebbi Operations
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have neutralised 2 suspected terrorists and recovered arms, ammunition and motorcycles during separate offensive operations in Kebbi State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 2 established contact with terrorists at Sabarumawa on Friday during an offensive operation.
During the encounter, the troops nutrialised two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles, 143 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, nine AK-47 magazines and one motorcycle.
Military sources said the operations formed part of the sustained offensive campaign aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and denying criminal elements freedom of action across the North-West.
The sources added that troops have continued to maintain aggressive offensive operations across the theatre to sustain pressure on the fleeing terrorists and consolidate recent operational gains.
Troops Neutralise 2 Terrorists, Recover Rifles, Ammunition in Kebbi Operations
Troops Arrest Four Suspected Drug Peddlers, Recover Cannabis in Plateau Raid
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested four suspected illicit drug peddlers during a raid on a criminal hideout in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 10:30 p.m. on June 25 at the Congo Russia area of Jos North as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and curb drug-related activities in the state.
During the raid, troops arrested four suspects identified as Isah Mohammed, 20; Nura Kabil, 19; Hamisu Rabiu, 21; and Yakubu Mohammed, 35.
The troops also recovered quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa from the suspects during the operation.
Sources said the suspects have been profiled and are currently in custody for further necessary action, while investigations are ongoing to uncover other members of the illicit drug network.
The operation forms part of sustained security efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to rid Plateau State of criminal elements and deny drug traffickers safe havens within the state.
Troops Arrest Four Suspected Drug Peddlers, Recover Cannabis in Plateau Raid
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