The recent police raid at Lifeline Nehemiah Projects, which saw two beneficiaries detained, has caused alarm among staff, students, and the community; as teargas and suspected live rounds were directed at them.
Administrative Director Philemon Kamara at Lifeline Nehemiah Projects has spoken out, describing the events as a misuse of state power that disrupted schooling and threatened the institution’s operations.
Speaking in an interview with FORUM NEWS earlier Saturday 4 October, 2025, Kamara recounted the morning’s chaotic events: “I went to the LUC at Kissy Division at Barracks to negotiate the release of the students, who are beneficiaries of Lifeline. Mr. Samura, the officer leading the investigation, refused to release them, claiming that they had threatened people who came to put materials on the school land. While we were still there, the LUC and his team arrived, seized building materials from a structure not even part of the disputed land, and arrested one of our staff, Joe Amara, simply because he asked questions. Now, a total of three people are being held in detention.”
Kamara accused the authorities of ignoring due process, stressing that the matter is already before the courts.
“We feel bullied. There is a court injunction that says nobody should interfere with the land until the case is concluded. Yet the police came, disrupted the school, and carried away materials. Today, over 500 pupils could not attend classes, including youths who are learning plumbing and other trades. We have all the legal documents for the land. Instead of verifying our papers at the Ministry of Lands, they chose to use force. We plead with the president to intervene.”
The administrator further explained that the dispute began last month when businessman Tunde McCarthy (TUMAC) attempted to build on the Lifeline playing field, which the organization had set aside for education and community development. Lifeline took the matter to court, where an injunction was issued. Despite this, Kamara says the Ministry of Social Welfare has shown interest in the land, citing external funding to build a structure for persons with disabilities, without consulting Lifeline.
“We have been law-abiding since 1996. We deliberately stopped students from working on the land to avoid violence. But now, with this harassment, it feels like an attack not just on Lifeline but on the vulnerable children and staff who depend on us,” he explained.
For over two decades, Reverend Prince Tommy Williams and Lifeline Nehemiah Projects have played a crucial role in rehabilitating street children, supporting recovering addicts, and providing skills training and education Community members and human rights groups argue that the arrests of beneficiaries and staff are unjust and risk undermining the mission of one of Sierra Leone’s most impactful charities.
The two beneficiaries and staff members Joe Amara remain in detention at Kissy Barracks Police Post, with no formal charges disclosed. He also pleaded and called on the president as the father of the nation to intervene as the organisation is working towards the vision of the president on education and Human Capital Development.
“we have been working towards education and Human Capital Development and developing the middle man power by providing courses for youth in plumbing and other areas and also a nursery, primary and junior secondary school for children…”
