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 ambush terrorists in Sokoto, recover six AK-47 rifles
By: Zagazola Makama
Combined troops of 8 Division Garrison Strike Force and the Department of State Services have neutralized a terrorist cell in Sokoto State and recovered six AK-47 rifles in a decisive counter-terrorism operation.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the terrorists were intercepted in transit to Gundumi Village in Isa Local Government Area to carry out an attack on civilians. Acting on credible intelligence gathered through weeks of surveillance, troops tactically positioned themselves near the village and engaged the insurgents, who were traveling on motorbikes from a nearby forest.
One terrorist was neutralized during the encounter, while others fled into the forest with gunshot wounds, abandoning their mission.
The source said a subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of six AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, and 18 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
He added that troops have intensified patrols and maintained a strong presence in the area to prevent further threats.
“This successful operation underscores the unwavering commitment of 8 Division and Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protecting lives and property, reinforcing public confidence in the security forces’ ability to combat terrorism and maintain peace,” the source said.
Troops ambush terrorists in Sokoto, recover six AK-47 rifles
Troops repel Boko Haram/ISWAP ambush in Borno, kill 10, recover arms
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled an ambush by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State, killing 10 insurgents and recovering a cache of arms and equipment.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday during ongoing Operation Desert Sanity V/Siege Operations.
The source said troops of Sector 1, in conjunction with elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters, came under attack by terrorists who were in an ambush position with a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) and small arms fire.
“The troops, who were on high alert, responded with heavy volume of fire and successfully repelled the ambush.
“The attack was followed by the detonation of an IED on the troops, but their swift response forced the terrorists to withdraw in disarray, with several of them killed and others sustaining gunshot wounds,” the source said.
He added that a reinforcement team from Ngoshe swiftly moved to cut off the terrorists’ withdrawal routes along the foothills of the Mandara Mountains and successfully ambushed the retreating fighters.
“Troops mounted a hot pursuit on the remnants who managed to escape and exploited the general area towards the withdrawal routes, recovering several bodies and equipment,” he said.
The source said 10 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, including two senior leaders identified as Basulhu, a key commander, and his second-in-command, Ubaida.
Items recovered from the terrorists include three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, five motorcycles, two hand grenades, two Baofeng radios, 12 AK-47 magazines, 197 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, one RPG charger, two detonating cords, 13 nine-volt batteries, an iron bar, a bandolier and a camel bag.
The source said the general security situation in the area remained relatively calm but fluid, adding that troops continued to maintain maximum alertness.
Troops repel Boko Haram/ISWAP ambush in Borno, kill 10, recover arms
Troops kill terrorist, recover arms in Maiduguri cordon-and-search operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed a suspected Boko Haram fighter and recovered arms during a cordon-and-search operation in parts of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), the military said on Thursday.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted under Operation Desert Sanity IV following intelligence reports of suspected terrorist activities and possible suicide bomber movements within the metropolis.
The source said troops were alerted to a gun battle between Boko Haram and ISWAP factions around the Malkube area of Tungushe General Area near Baga Road Market.
“On receipt of the report, a standby team comprising 36 soldiers and 10 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was mobilised to the scene.
“On arrival, the troops exchanged gunfire with the terrorists. The general area was cordoned off and searched, leading to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines, 15 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and a Samsung Fold 4 Android phone,” the source said.
He added that one terrorist was neutralised during the encounter, while no casualties were recorded on the side of the troops.
The source said the operation, which was hitch-free, ended at about 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, with troops still monitoring the area for more intelligence and clearing suspected hideouts of terrorists hibernating within the metropolis.
Troops kill terrorist, recover arms in Maiduguri cordon-and-search operation
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