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
Police Launch Manhunt After Officer Attacked, Robbed in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected hoodlums who attacked and robbed a police officer along the Dangote–Eggua Express Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.
Police sources said the incident was reported at the Igbogila Division by ASP Abimiku Ewuga Wahala, a Patrol and Guard officer attached to the Area Command, Ayetoro.
According to sources, the officer was travelling from Ayetoro to Igbogila on June 14 when he was ambushed by four armed hoodlums between Olu-Omo Petrol Station and Iya Shadia Junction.
The attackers, armed with sticks and cutlasses, allegedly assaulted the officer and left him unconscious before fleeing with his belongings.
Items stolen during the attack included a Boxer motorcycle with registration number OGUN AKM 658 UV, which the officer had borrowed from a friend, his police uniforms and accoutrements, a Tecno T303 mobile phone and a Tecno Pop 7 Android phone.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a team of detectives to the scene as part of efforts to track down the suspects.
Police authorities said investigations were ongoing and efforts had been intensified to arrest the perpetrators and recover the stolen items.
The command urged members of the public with useful information to assist security agencies in apprehending those responsible for the attack.
Police Launch Manhunt After Officer Attacked, Robbed in Ogun
Fulani bandits Kill 18 in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected armed Fulani bandits have reportedly killed 18 persons in a fresh attack on Kawel and Kopkon communities in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources said that the troops of Sector 5 under Operation Enduring Peace responded to the coordinated attack at about 1:20 a.m. on June 20.
According to sources, the assailants invaded Kawel and Kopkon villages, shooting sporadically before fleeing the scene prior to the arrival of security forces.
Upon arrival, troops discovered 12 bodies in Kawel village and six bodies in Kopkon village, bringing the total number of fatalities to 18.
The attackers had reportedly escaped before troops could make contact.
The sources stated that troops immediately launched offensive operations in the general area aimed at tracking and apprehending the fleeing suspects.
Plateau State has continued to witnessed a series of violent incidents across some local government areas, including Bokkos and Riyom, where farmers and herders clashes continued to escalate resulting in multiple fatalities, despite response by the security agencies.
Operation Enduring has intensified patrols and security deployments in parts of Plateau State following recurring attacks in some rural communities.
Fulani bandits Kill 18 in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities
Again, Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Spy in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a 26-year-old man suspected of spying for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and plotting attacks against military formations in Borno State.
Security sources disclosed that the suspect, identified as Mustapha Mohammed, was apprehended by troops of 19 Brigade deployed at the Kekeno-Monguno checkpoint on June 19 following credible intelligence.
According to reliable information obtained on Sunday, the suspect was allegedly involved in intelligence gathering and collaboration with ISWAP terrorists.
Sources indicated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was linked to plans by terrorists to attack troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kekeno.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops of 19 Brigade deployed at the Kekeno-Monguno checkpoint arrested one Mustapha Mohammed, aged 26 years, suspected to be an ISWAP terrorist spy.
“The suspect was arrested for allegedly collaborating with terrorists on possible plans to attack troops deployed at FOB Kekeno,” the report stated.
Military authorities said the suspect is currently in the custody of 19 Brigade for further interrogation and intelligence exploitation.
Again, Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Spy in Borno
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