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
Crime
Army says no incident recorded along Abuja-Kaduna corridor due to troops’ sustained Operations – Commander
Army says no incident recorded along Abuja-Kaduna corridor due to troops’ sustained Operations – Commander
By: Zagazola Makama
The Commander, Sub Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YANMA, Sector 1, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Col. I.R. Adom, says sustained military operations and proactive deployment of troops have ensured that no major security incident has been recorded along the Abuja-Kaduna road and rail corridor in the last four years.
Adom stated this during a media tour of military formations in Kaduna organised for defence correspondents.
He said the primary responsibility of Sub Sector 4 was to provide security along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway and rail corridor, as well as adjoining communities, critical national infrastructure and other strategic facilities within its area of responsibility.

According to him, troops have maintained relentless pressure on bandits and other criminal elements operating around the corridor, leading to improved security and freedom of movement for commuters.
“Our primary responsibility is the security of the Abuja-Kaduna road and rail corridor, as well as the adjoining critical national infrastructure, communities and associated facilities on the corridor.

“So far, the operation has been going on very well and, as you can attest, the road has remained quite secure.
“For about two years now, there has been no major security incident on the road. This is due to the proactive actions of the troops deployed on both the road and rail corridors,” he said.
The commander added that troops also respond swiftly to distress calls from communities located along the corridor and within the operational area.
He disclosed that troops recently rescued some kidnapped victims along the Katari-Gurara axis, an area that had previously experienced security challenges.
“About two weeks ago, we rescued some kidnap victims along the Katari-Gurara road. That is another corridor where we have been working hard to contain security threats.
“Today, people can travel from Katari to Gurara and from Gurara to Katari without any major disturbances,” he said.
Adom said troops routinely conduct offensive operations against criminal elements and were preparing for another operation at the time of the media visit.
On the activities of bandit groups within the area, the commander said troops had continued to neutralise criminal elements whenever encountered during operations.
He also confirmed a recent clash between rival bandit groups along the Rijana and Gwagwada axes.

“There was an infighting among some bandit groups along the Rijana axis and also the Gwagwada axis.
“Some bandits were neutralised during the clash. It was an infighting between two groups over cattle rustling activities.
“Some of the corpses were later recovered and brought for burial,” he said.
Adom assured residents of the military’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at denying bandits freedom of action and maintaining security along the strategic Abuja-Kaduna corridor and surrounding communities.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to enhance ongoing efforts to combat insecurity in the area.
Army says no incident recorded along Abuja-Kaduna corridor due to troops’ sustained Operations – Commander
Crime
Troops Neutralise Suspected Terrorist Scout Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Neutralise Suspected Terrorist Scout Ambush Operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected terrorist scout during an ambush operation in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Military sources said the operation was carried out at about 10:15 p.m. on June 6 by troops of the 73 Battalion (Main) following intelligence reports indicating the presence and movement of suspected terrorists around Malari village.
According to the sources, the troops deployed to the area and laid an ambush after receiving information suggesting that insurgents were massing within the vicinity.
During the operation, the troops reportedly observed an individual suspected to be conducting reconnaissance approaching from the direction of Malari village.
The sources said the suspect was challenged and ordered to stop but allegedly continued advancing toward the troops’ position.
The troops subsequently engaged the suspect, who was neutralised during the encounter.
The operation forms part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts aimed at preventing attacks on military positions and communities within the North-East region.
Military authorities said troops remain on heightened alert and are continuing surveillance and offensive operations across the area to deny insurgents freedom of movement.
Troops Neutralise Suspected Terrorist Scout Ambush Operation in Borno
Crime
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers’ Informant, Recover Pistol in Plateau
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers’ Informant, Recover Pistol in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8 of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested a suspected kidnappers’ informant and recovered a pistol during an operation in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the suspect, identified as Yahaya Haruna, was arrested in the early hours of June 7 at Mungi village following intelligence linking him to criminal elements operating in the area.
According to the sources, troops of Sub-Sector 81 deployed at Gyambwas carried out the operation at about 12:15 a.m. after receiving credible information on the suspect’s alleged activities.
The sources said a search conducted at the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of one pistol believed to be connected to criminal operations.
“Acting on intelligence, troops arrested the suspect and conducted a search of his house, during which one pistol was recovered,” the sources said.
They added that the suspect and the recovered weapon were taken into custody for further investigation.
Security officials said preliminary investigations were ongoing to establish the suspect’s alleged links with kidnapping syndicates and determine the source of the recovered firearm.
They noted that efforts were also being intensified to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network.
The arrest forms part of ongoing security operations aimed at disrupting kidnapping networks and dismantling criminal support structures across Plateau State.
Authorities urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information that could assist ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers’ Informant, Recover Pistol in Plateau
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics12 months ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
