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
Gunmen Abduct NDDC Aide in Bayelsa as Security Agencies Launch Manhunt
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted Mr. Loveday Akari, a Senior Special Assistant to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in Ayakoro Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 7, 2025.
The sources said that the abductors escaped using a boat, which was later found abandoned a short distance from the scene of the crime.
“In response, security forces activated blocking positions to restrict the hoodlums’ movement while electronic surveillance assets were deployed to locate their hideout,” the source added.
A Joint Services team, including the Nigerian Navy, Tactical and Marine Units, has been deployed to secure Onuebum and Ayakoro communities, where law enforcement is conducting an intensive manhunt for the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, search-and-rescue operations are ongoing to secure Akari’s release and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Gunmen Abduct NDDC Aide in Bayelsa as Security Agencies Launch Manhunt
Police Arrest Two Suspected Criminals Linked to Killing of Officer in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Taraba State Police Command have arrested two suspected criminals believed to be members of an armed gang responsible for the murder of a police officer and a civilian in Wukari.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrests were made between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on March 6, 2025, after a joint operation by the police and local hunters. Acting on credible intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a tactical team to lay an ambush along a bush route behind Federal University Wukari, where they apprehended the two suspects.
The suspects were identified as Godwin Ajaver (28), from Abako in Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State, and Austin Emmanuel (25), from Jootar in Ukum LGA, Benue State.
During interrogation, Ajaver confessed to being a member of an armed gang responsible for the murder of Police Corporal Ahmadu Yusuf (F/No. 517607) and a civilian identified as Gaddafi Saidu on February 25, 2025. However, he claimed he did not participate in the attack on that day.
The second suspect, Emmanuel, was allegedly invited to join the gang by Ajaver and was arrested while attempting to link up with the group.
Though the suspects were unarmed at the time of their arrest, Ajaver is said to be providing valuable intelligence on the identities and locations of his gang members.
Police Arrest Two Suspected Criminals Linked to Killing of Officer in Taraba
Crime
Police Arrest Six as Students Clash Over Girlfriend Dispute as gunshots hits two minors in Niger
Police Arrest Six as Students Clash Over Girlfriend Dispute as gunshots hits two minors in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has arrested six suspects following a violent clash involving students of Annur Islamic Model School, Chaichainiya, and some youths in Zuma Bread, Chaichainiya, Suleja Local Government Area.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the altercation, which started as a dispute over girlfriends, escalated into a full-scale brawl on March 6, 2025, at about 9:11 p.m., shortly after the Tarawih prayer.
According to the sources over twenty youths and students, led by Umar Idris, an SSS 3 student, invaded the area with dangerous weapons and engaged in a fight.
The sources said that during the clash, gunshots were fired from an unknown direction, hitting two minors: Immarana Hassan (11 years old) sustained a gunshot wound to the right thigh. Nura Jibrin (10 years old) sustained a gunshot wound to the left thigh.
Upon receiving the distress call, police personnel and vigilantes were mobilized to the scene, restoring calm and evacuating the injured victims to Suleja General Hospital, where they are responding to treatment.
Meanwhile, six suspects have been arrested, while police, in collaboration with the school authorities, are working to apprehend other students involved in masterminding the attack.
Police Arrest Six as Students Clash Over Girlfriend Dispute as gunshots hits two minors in Niger
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Bandits Abduct Son of Ishyaka Rabiu, Demand Ransom Amid Military Onslaught on Bello Turji’s Faction
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