Sierra Leone: Sunday’s Military Attack Left 13 Officers Dead –Military Spokesman

 By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

Sunday’s attack by unknown gunmen into several military barracks and prisons in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown has left 13 soldiers dead, with many injured and others responding to treatment, said Colonel Issa Bangura, the head of the public relations and information in the Sierra Leone army.

‘’13 (thirteen) serving military officers were killed in action, while several others injured and are responding to treatment,’’ Col. Issa Bangura said in an interview, whilst expressing condolences to the families of his fallen colleagues.

The West African nation experienced attacks at different military barracks by unknown gunmen, one of the country’s biggest armory at Wilberforce, Cockerill, Murray Town and then to the biggest and largest prison –Pademba Road prisons.

He said those military officers killed at different military barrack while trying to repel the attackers and in defending the country but however said they succeeded in chasing the attackers which he said they are still in ‘’pocket’’ in the capital thus urging citizens to report any suspected individuals to the security forces.

President Julius Maada Bio in a televised national address on Sunday evening praised the bravery of the country’s military saying most of the leaders of Sunday’s attack have been arrested while promising that his government will ensure that those responsible will be held accountable through due process.

‘’Most of the leaders have been arrested. Security operations and investigations are ongoing. We will ensure that those responsible are held accountable through due process. I acknowledge the bravery and dedication of our armed forces, police, and all those who played a role in defeating this attempt to undermine the peace and stability we have worked so hard to achieve,’’ President Julius Maada Bio said in a televised national address.

Bio added that the commitment to the defence of the country’s democracy by the army deserves everyone’s deepest gratitude thus thanking citizens for complying with the security measures and advise everyone to remain vigilant and to cooperate with the security forces.

‘’As your Commander in Chief, I want to assure everybody who is resident in Sierra Leone that we have overcome this challenge, and together, we will continue on the path of progress and development,’’ Bio assured.

Sunday’s attack in the capital also saw the attack into the country’s biggest prison facility on Pademba Road with dozens of prisoners believed to have been freed; among them is popular music rapper and star LAJ.

‘’We have up to over 50 prisoners who escaped on Sunday that have reported themselves to the police. We even have received a call from popular music star LAJ of his where about and that he’s ready to turn-himself over to the police. That shows that he just joined other inmates because of the situation he finds himself into,’’ ACP Brima Kamara said Monday on local media SLBC TV.

The Head of media of the Sierra Leone Police Assistant Commissioner (ACP) of Police Brima Kamara  however encouraged the escaped inmates to turn themselves over to the police which he said will be fine for them stressing that anyone who turned themselves in to them will not take you that you have committed another offence.

‘’If you waited until we arrest you, you will charge separately with your pervious offence. This is the appeal we are making to citizens for them to turn themselves over the police. We want to call on the public, we will announce the phone number they will use to assist us with any information of escapees or any other information to help is with the investigations,’’ he told citizens on the state broadcaster –Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).

However former President Ernest Bai Koroma condemned Sunday military attack noting that his military guard assigned to him by the state was killed at point blank range but didn’t mention the killer.

‘’I also strongly condemn the killing, right inside of my Goderich residence in Freetown, of Corporal Eddie Conteh, a dedicated military guard assigned to me by the state. Corporal Eddie Conteh was reportedly shot at point blank range,’’ Ernest Bai Koroma said, adding his other state assigned security was whisked to an unknown location.

The former head of state condemned the grave breaches of state security stating that he is deeply concerned that once again his beloved nation could be subjected to such ‘’Insecurity’’

‘’Any actions, events and pronouncements that threaten to undermine the political and social stability of the state should have no place in a democracy,’’ the former president added.

Calm has been restored in the West African nation however; an indefinite curfew is still in place from 9pm local to 6 am local time with visible security check points across the city manned by military and armed police officers.