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Scores killed in Anti-government protest in Sierra Leone

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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

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Troops Arrest Suspect with Over 1,300 Empty Ammunition Casings in Borno

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Troops Arrest Suspect with Over 1,300 Empty Ammunition Casings in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces headed by the Special Adviser of the Borno State government, Ibrahim Mohammed, who was the former OC Crack in Borno state have arrested a suspect in connection with the discovery of a large quantity of empty ammunition casings following an explosion incident in Kaleri general area of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that operatives, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), mobilised to the scene at about 9:13 p.m. on May 6, 2026, after receiving information on the explosion.

On arrival, one suspect was apprehended in possession of 1,341 empty cases of 12.7 x 99mm ammunition as well as 47 ammunition boxes.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the recovered items were linked to the suspect’s brother, a soldier serving at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, who allegedly removed warheads from live rounds and diverted the empty casings for illegal sale.

The suspect is currently in police custody while further investigations are ongoing to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the diversion and possible network involved.

Troops Arrest Suspect with Over 1,300 Empty Ammunition Casings in Borno

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23 Suspects, Including Notorious Gang Leader, Transferred After Joint Security Screening in Adamawa

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23 Suspects, Including Notorious Gang Leader, Transferred After Joint Security Screening in Adamawa

By: Zagazola Makama

Security agencies have transferred 23 suspected criminals, including a wanted gang leader, to the Adamawa State Police Command following a joint screening operation in Mubi South and Mubi North Local Government Areas.

Security sources told Zagazola that the development followed a joint raid conducted on May 6, 2026, in which 73 suspects were arrested at a suspected criminal hideout within the area.

The sources said a joint screening exercise was carried out at about 10:00 a.m. on May 7, 2026, at the Mubi South Police Division, involving intelligence operatives, military police, Nigeria Police Force representatives and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Following the screening, 50 of the suspects were released to their families after being cleared of direct involvement in criminal activities.

However, 23 suspects were retained for further investigation and subsequently transferred to the Adamawa State Police Command for additional interrogation and possible prosecution.

Among those transferred was a suspected notorious gang leader identified as Mallam Salim Danabba, also known as “Bravo Boy Leader,” who is reportedly on the security watchlist for involvement in organised criminal activities in the area.

Security authorities said the joint operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and improve security across Adamawa State and surrounding border communities.

They added that follow-up operations and intelligence-driven raids would continue to prevent the regrouping of criminal elements in the region.

23 Suspects, Including Notorious Gang Leader, Transferred After Joint Security Screening in Adamawa

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Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner, Recover Firearm in Abia State

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Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner, Recover Firearm in Abia State

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 144 Battalion (Rear), operating under Operation UDO KA in collaboration with operatives of the 14 Military Intelligence Regiment, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected gunrunner in Abia State.

Security sources told Zagazola that the suspect was apprehended at about 5:30 a.m. on May 8, 2026, at Mkpa-Ujere in Ndoki community, Ukwa East Local Government Area, following credible intelligence on plans to acquire a firearm.

The sources said troops conducted a targeted operation which led to the arrest of the suspect, who was found in possession of one dane gun.

The suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing further interrogation to determine the extent of his involvement in arms trafficking and possible links to criminal networks.

Military authorities said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts under Operation UDO KA to curb illegal arms proliferation and enhance security across the South-East region.

Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner, Recover Firearm in Abia State

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