By Samuel Banya

At a press conference held on Tuesday 16th August, 2022 at the Police Headquarters in Freetown, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Brima Jah, told journalists that they have some 141 suspects in police custody and are looking for some others that they have declared wanted persons.

He said they have released a toll-free line 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, AIG Jah maintained that things were under control and that people should go about their normal business, and warned that the police will come hard on people who break the law, with the intention to foment trouble and disturb the peace of the country.

He further disclosed that among those arrested on Wednesday’s violence and in their custody, were top executive members of youth groups that championed the violent protest in Wellington, east end of Freetown.

He said one Sarafina S.M. Kamara, formerly of 152 Bai Bureh Road, Brima Lane in Wellington, is among other person who championed the protest through an organization known as the People’s Power in Politics (PPP) and the Wellington Progressive Youth Organization (WPYO).

Police said Sarafina, who is the Lady President for the WPYO, is among other executive members currently on the run and on police most wanted list.
He said the police raided their houses and successfully arrested some of them and their relatives who were met at the houses, Sarafina and her cohorts were nowhere to be found.

Also, AIG Jah said 24 juveniles: 18 young boys and 6 girls are also in police detention.

In this regard, he called on community people to help in the search to identify those on the run so that police will bring them to book. He said 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.

The police expressed sincere condolences on behalf of the IGP to the bereaved families and promised that the perpetrators will be brought to book. Meanwhile a list of the wanted persons has been posted on various police stations as well as the toll free line for information leading to their arrest.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has said that the circumstances will be “fully investigated”. Youth Minister Mohamed Orman Bangura referred to the protests as an “act of terrorism”.

Reports say Sarafina was in 2017 kidnapped by some youngmen for ritual purpose but noticing that she was not a virgin as required, she was repeatedly raped and tortured for days by her kidnappers.

This unfortunate incident left Sarafina badly traumatised, distressed and was complaining of severe internal body pains and difficult breathing among other medical problems prior to this political incident.

Reports say there have been series of secret night raids in most parts of Freetown and its environs, conducted by police and community people loyal to government, shooting and killing of relatives of protesters listed on police wanted list.

This reporter visited and spoke with community members of Wellington and people confirmed that many relatives of members of PPP organizations that championed the protest are missing and cannot be accounted for since the protest day.