The Sierra Leone Police has mounted a man-hunt for an active youth activist Alimamy Kanu and some members of the main opposition party who they believed to be behind the riot that took place in the Western Rural fishing village of Tombo, a known stronghold of the opposition party, on Wednesday 6th May 2020, in which some 6 people were shot dead by a combined team of military and police officers.
Investigation revealed that immediately after the three days nationwide lockdown from the 3-5 May 2020, instituted by government to fight COVID-19 and stop the chain of transmission, news went round the Tombo Community that the government will not allow over two hundred fisher men to go to sea to fetch fish. The move was part of the regulations adopted by government to fight COVID-19. Over five thousand people living in Tombo depends on fishing activities for their daily survival. Out of 100 boats only 15 boats should go out to fish, as part of the COVID-19 containment measures
This action, it was revealed, infuriated the fishermen, and after efforts in engaging the district authorities to increase the number of boats proved futile, they them embarked on a peaceful protest in the village. During the said protest, the aggrieved fishermen matched up to the residence of the district officials and the Police station, in a bid to register their discontent.
Some villagers spoken to, say that the arrival of the security forces aggravated the whole situation, as they descended menacingly, and things took a different turn when they began to storm residence, beating up opposition party youths and young men in front of their families.
Sources further revealed that the protest turned violent when some irate youths joined in the procession, and these then threw stones at the police station, leading to a request by the Local Unit Commander in the area for support from Waterloo, its divisional headquarter. It was revealed that a team of military and police officers descended on the village, joined by youths believed to be supporters of the ruling party, and an all-out running battle between the youths and the security forces ensued, in which road blocks were set up by the angry youths of the village.
Speaking to a family member of the want Alimamy Kanu, they informed this medium that they were attacked by armed police and managed to escape at the back of the house, adding that on 7th May 2020 a day after the riot Alimamy Kanu was no where to be found.
Eyewitnesses have also corroborated the story of this family and many others. They further explained that the Sherbro Tribal Chief, Michael K. Benka, is a known as a member of the ruling party member, and that he gave a list of youths headed by Alimamy Kanu.
When the Sherbro Tribal Chief was contacted about the riot and those involved, he said he has already given the names he knew where part of the peaceful demonstration which ended up to be a bloody one. He described Alimamy Kanu and strong members of the opposition party of mastermind and funding the demonstration.
Police sources say that they have mounted a man-hunt for Alimamy Kanu and others and have declared them wanted and a bounty put on their heads for any information that would lead to their arrest.
As we go to press, family members of Alimamy and others a have confirmed to us that they are constantly under police harassment and threat since they have not be found.
Investigation Continue.
