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

Troops arrest suspected cult members, recover locally made pistol in Ebonyi state

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops arrest suspected cult members, recover locally made pistol in Ebonyi state

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation UDO KA have arrested three suspected cult members and recovered a locally made pistol during a swift response to a distress call at the Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo in Ebonyi State.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 9:25 p.m. on March 25 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Ikwo, following reports from the Chief Security Officer of the university about gunshots suspected to be linked to cult activities around the campus.

The sources said troops moved immediately to the scene, where they apprehended three suspects found in possession of knives and scissors.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects allegedly disclosed that another accomplice was in possession of an illegal firearm.

Acting on the information, troops proceeded to the suspect’s accommodation; however, he was said to have fled before their arrival.

A subsequent search of the room led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, concealed inside a handbag placed in the suspect’s wardrobe.

The sources added that efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspect, while the three arrested individuals remain in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Troops arrest suspected cult members, recover locally made pistol in Ebonyi state

Crime

Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in ambush near Nigeria–Cameroon border

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in ambush near Nigeria–Cameroon border

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist and recovered arms and logistics during an ambush operation along the Nigeria–Cameroon border axis.

Security sources said the ambush was conducted by troops of 3 Battalion (Mechanised), 24 Task Force Brigade, following ongoing operations across the Madari–Segeme axis in Cameroon.

The sources disclosed that at about 11:40 p.m. on March 24, the ambush team made contact with fleeing terrorists along the Abari axis, leading to the neutralisation of one insurgent.

Items recovered from the scene included one M-19 assault rifle, assorted rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two mobile phones, one GSM battery, two Airtel SIM cards, five sachets of mebendazole tablets, a tactical gear bag, and one motorcycle.

According to the sources, the operation forms part of sustained efforts to track and eliminate fleeing terrorist elements along border corridors.

Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in ambush near Nigeria–Cameroon border

Crime

Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the arrest followed credible intelligence on the movement of a suspect conveying items believed to be meant for terrorists.

The sources disclosed that at about 6:00 p.m. on March 25, troops of 233 Tank Battalion, in collaboration with members of the Yobe State Hunters Group, intercepted the suspect, identified as Modu Sharif, 23, while moving from Damaturu to Kadau village near Goniri axis.

Items recovered from the suspect included 11 brake liners, four carburetors, one bunch of springs, 17 spark plugs, one crankshaft, three packets of oil seals, 18 cable wires, and eight clutch handles, all suspected to be motorcycle spare parts.

According to the sources, the suspect confessed during preliminary interrogation that he was sent by Boko Haram elements to deliver the items.

The suspect is currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other collaborators and dismantle the logistics network supporting terrorist activities in the region.

Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno