George Philip Jambawai, AYV News, September 3, 2025
Police in the Southern Region have confirmed that John Lamina, Regional Manager of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), narrowly escaped death after being attacked by unknown armed men at his Hanson Street residence in Bo recently.
Police Constable 19138 Alhaji Usman Mansaray, Media Head of the Sierra Leone Police in the Southern Region, gave an update on the incident on the 1st September that the attackers inflicted head injuries on Lamina during the assault. He managed to fight back and escape. Two suspects are currently assisting the police with their investigation.
The incident drew the attention of the Minister of Internal Affairs, who immediately visited Bo and engaged senior authorities, urging them to step up security patrols across the region. AIG Brima Kanneh, along with the Office of National Security (ONS), local authorities, and the military, assured residents of reinforced patrols that are already underway.
Community sources say such incidents are often more frequent during the rainy season, especially when the city is in darkness and roads to the outskirts are difficult to access. Police added that criminals sometimes exploit this by diverting attention with false hotline calls, creating mistrust between the public and law enforcement.
Police further revealed that these gangs operate in a network across the country, mobilising from different locations to launch attacks in targeted areas. While AIG Kanneh’sleadership and community-police partnership have reduced major incidents in recent years, aside from drug-related crime, residents remain frustrated that many arrested suspects are later freed and return to crime.
One notable example is Rodney Massaquoi, a former police officer previously charged with aggravated robbery, who was later released and went on to lead a gang that terrorised communities in Pujehun District. He was recently re-arrested, but police say it remains unclear whether he is linked to the NASSIT manager’s case.
Speaking to AYV, AIG Kanneh urged residents to go about their normal business but remain vigilant and work closely with security forces. He expressed concern that such an incident had occurred under his watch but pledged stronger measures to restore calm.
There is a video making rounds on social media that shows the NASSIT manager in his words appreciating God for aiding him escape in the hands of ruthless armed robbers who nearly killed him, from this appearance one can easily tell that he is responding to treatment.
