By Hassan Osman Kargbo
A tragic accident occurred has last Friday 26 September, 2025 at around 8:30 p.m. near the Moeba community, Kissy in the East of Freetown, leaving one woman dead, an electricity pole uprooted, and a commercial motorcycle, commonly called okada, badly damaged.
The accident, which shocked residents of the densely populated community, has once again brought attention to the poor state of infrastructure in the area. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but police sources say reckless driving, coupled with the deplorable condition of the Moeba road, is the most likely explanation. The driver of the vehicle involved has been taken into custody and is being held at the Harbour Police Station pending further inquiries.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as both sudden and devastating. Ibrahim Kamara, a shopkeeper whose stall is located a few meters from the scene, recounted the moment of the accident. “I just heard a loud bang, like metal hitting concrete. When I rushed outside, the vehicle had already knocked down the woman and crashed into the EDSA pole. People started screaming, and it was chaos,” he said.
Another resident, Aminata Conteh, expressed her sadness and frustration. “This is not the first time an accident has happened here. The road is narrow, full of potholes, and poorly lit. Drivers speed through without caution, and we the community members are the ones who suffer. A life has been lost again because nothing is being done to fix this road.”
The Moeba community, home to an estimated 45,000 residents, is one of Freetown’s most deprived areas despite its size and location in the capital city. Many residents are small business owners, students, and okada riders who rely heavily on the road to sustain their livelihoods. Yet, they continue to live with inadequate state resources and poor infrastructure.
Community members say the accident underscores their long-standing appeals for government intervention. Mohamed Bangura, an okada rider who frequently uses the road, emphasized the urgent need for improvements. “We risk our lives daily riding on this road. If the government can just fix it, maybe accidents like this will reduce. We cannot keep losing people like this,” he said.
In addition to the loss of life, the accident also left the community without electricity after the EDSA pole was destroyed. Residents expressed concern that it may take weeks before power is restored, further compounding the hardships they already face.
As the family of the deceased woman mourns their loss, the Moeba community continues to grapple with broader challenges, including inadequate health facilities, poor sanitation, and limited access to basic services. For many, Thursday’s tragedy is a painful reminder of the cost of neglect.
Police say investigations are ongoing, and more details will be released in the coming days.
