The army spokesperson for Sierra Leone, Colonel Issa Bangura, has stated on Monday that 13 members of the army who support the government lost their lives in Sunday’s military shooting in the country’s capital, Freetown. He said that ex and serving soldiers in the army of Sierra Leone were responsible for organizing the attacks. But in Freetown, there are still unanswered concerns regarding the attack’s backers and its conditions.
Before Sunday noon, some of the soldiers who tried to breach into the military arsenal at Wilberforce Barracks were taken into custody. Social internet footage purports to show security personnel in Sierra Leone tying up the suspected intruders who broke into the Barracks. A member of the security forces in Sierra Leone is heard on camera claiming that one of the prisoners is a well-known guy known as “Leather Boot,” who served as a crucial security operative for Ernest Bai Koroma’s previous government.
The previous president released a statement that omitted any mention of Leather Boot and Sorie Bah, despite loyalists’ claims that the man known as Leather Boot and another member of former President Ernest Bai’s security were seen close to the shooting locations.
Ernest Bai Koroma voiced strong concern and denounced the violations of state security in his remarks. “I also lament the unfortunate loss of Corporal Eddie Conteh, a committed military guard assigned to me who was slain on duty at my apartment in Freetown,” former president Koroma remarked in reference to the suspected involvement of his security. My prayers are with his loved ones and family. They also removed Warrant Officer John Swarray from my Freetown home. I’m hoping he returns safely.”
Concurrently, there are strong social media comments and suspicions regarding a scheme by dissidents from Sierra Leone who are sheltering in Guinea to carry out the attack on Sunday. Further allegations claim that President Julius Mada Bio’s administration orchestrated the attack as a pretext to target his political rivals.
Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Police has announced cash rewards for any valuable information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the assailants involved in the security breach. An additional reward will also go to anyone helping for the arrest of unlawfully released prisoners or suspects from the Correctional Centres and Police Stations on November 26, 2023.
