By Mohamed Habib Conteh
Various human rights activists in the country have raised serious concerns over the rampant unlawful and wrongful arrests of youths, especially those in the Tombo Park community in Waterloo.
According to a source from the Sierra Leone Police in Waterloo, it is alleged that some young men are now being chased across the country on allegations that they were the perpetrators of the violent protests that erupted in the Tombo Park community in Waterloo on 5 August, 2020 that reportedly claimed the lives of three Police Officers and two civilians, as well as injuring scores of civilians and burning down the community Police Post, the Hospital and other houses.
The Police source stated that they are searching for one Mr. Sahr Bonga, who he said, was one of the ring leaders of the 5 August, 2020 protests.
A community member who spoke to this Reporter stated that the trouble started when the Police attempted to remove the young people from the Tombo Park, where they have been doing their business activities.
He further explained that the young people refused to vacate the place and went on the rampage, setting the Police Post and the community hospital on fire, while also vandalizing and the burning down scores of houses and business places, and killing about three Police Officer and two civilians.
However, upon undertaking a thorough fact-finding investigation, it became clear that most of the youths were targeted by the vigilante groups being run by supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Government against those deemed to oppose the political establishment.
The situation has become alarming, with certain vigilante groups reportedly clandestinely killing those seen as diehard opponents of the government.
The source revealed that these extrajudicial killings have instilled fear and panic especially in nearby communities within the Waterloo community, resulting in most young people having to run away from the country as they fear for the safety of their lives.
It is believed that Mr. Sahr Bonga, having been identified as a ring leader of the protests, was declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police for murder, arson, incitement and riotous conduct and a reward of twenty million Leones (Le20,000,000.00) offered to anybody who would give information that will lead to his arrest.
The source further disclosed that Sahr Bonga’s residence was attacked by unknown people who burnt down his house in which his younger sister, Sia Bonga, and his uncle reportedly died.
The source also stated that strange people continue to visit the community, threatening that they will kill Sahr Bonga the day that they see him.
Most of those who were arrested in connection with the protests have disappeared, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
As we were going to press, we were informed that the search for Mr. Sahr Bonga was ongoing all over the country, and he will be killed the day that they see him.
