​Citizens “Maada Must Go” Protest: Calmness gradually returns but 115 suspected violent protesters in detention (SLP)

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson 

Effective yesterday, calmness is gradually returning nationwide after some residents in towns and cities in the northeast and northwest regions as well as those in the country’s capital city Freetown took to the streets to protest on Wednesday morning holding placards and chanting “Maada must go.”

The protest which the state security pillar lead (ONS) had earlier described “as faceless” turned out to be a “Maada must go” strike as was chanted by protesters who took to the streets of cities and towns particularly in areas deemed to be strong holds of the main opposition party where massive destructions of lives and properties occurred, thanks to a 3:00pm to 7:00am emergency curfew that helped to displace the irate protesters.

In Makeni, Kamakwie, Magburaka, Lungi and some areas in Freetown wide spread videos, human rights activist accounts as well as local and international media reports indicates that the Sierra Leone Police had fired teargases and live bullets on violent protesters while trying to disperse them during the course of their respective protests which according to the Police was “considered as threats to public peace.”

24 hours after the demonstrations were halted through efforts of joint security forces, an indefinite nationwide 7:00pm to 7:00am curfew has been imposed but there is increasing return of calmness sensed in all of the areas as well as other parts of the country where people are beginning to emulate the peacefulness and patriotisms shown by the people of Kono, Kabala, Bo, Kenema, Kambia and other places where no reports of similar citizens demonstration is been reported.

As sanity gradually returns, the Inspector General, Executive Management Boar and the rank and file of the Sierra Leone Police have extended their heartfelt condolences to all the families and loved ones of the four deceased police officers that lost their lives in the protests while discharging their duties.

The Sierra Leone Police has also confirmed that four police officers nationwide were injured, scores of public and private properties being destroyed including police stations, barracks and private properties of their personnel that were burnt down while 2 suspects, 16 and 97 suspects that were arrested in Magburaka, Lungi and Makeni respectively during the remains in their custody for onward investigations.

In their latest statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the police did not give any account on the total number of a little over 10 citizens that were alleged by some members of the public on social media and on the radio to have been shot and killed by personnel of the police during the demonstrations in Kamakwie, Makeni and some parts of Freetown but Assistant Commissioner of Police Briama Kamara who’s the Sierra Leone Police Spokesman has assured the public that “the Management of the Sierra Leone Police will continue to update the public on the developments, as and when they are available.”