At a press conference held yesterday Monday 29th August, 2022 at the Police Headquarters in Freetown, the Police told journalists that they have some 141 suspects in police custody and are looking for some others that they have declared wanted persons. A new toll-free line was released for citizens to help them with information about their whereabouts.
Speaking during the press briefing on the security situation in the country after the 10th August saga, Police maintained that things were under control and that people should go about their normal business, and warned that they will come hard on people who break the law, with the intention to foment trouble and disturb the peace of the country.
It was further disclosed that among those arrested on Wednesday’s alleged violence and in their custody, were 3 top executive members of a youth group that championed the alleged violent protest in Freetown.
He said Mohamed Sesay of the People’s Power in Politics (PPP), Francis Bangura and Peter Koroma of the Kissy Progressive Youth Organisation were arrested and currently in police detention helping the police in their investigations, while Sinneh Fallah Kargbo of One Mile, Kabala town in the Koinadugu district and other suspects are still on the run and police are still hunting them.
It was said that police raided their houses and successfully arrested some of Senneh’s family members who were met at their houses.
It was after completion of investigation of those in their custody, they will be charged to Court on various charges, including Riotous Conduct, Murder and attempted coup against the current President of Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has said that the circumstances will be “fully investigated”.
However, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) nationwide have condemned the unfortunate incident, while reporting that the denial by the police to first of all grant permission to the citizens to hold a peaceful protest led to the sad incident.
Reports say there have been series of secret night raids conducted by police and community people loyal to government, shooting and killing of relatives of protesters listed on police wanted list.
