The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ‘strongly condemned’ an attempt by unknown individuals to break into the military armory at the Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown, Sierra Leone, earlier on Sunday.

ECOWAS in a statement said it “learnt with utter disgust a plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order in Sierra Leone.”

The bloc vowed to resist another attempt to unconstitutionally seize power in the region.

The attempted raid reportedly sparked panic and prompted the Sierra Leonean government to declare a nationwide overnight curfew.

In a statement, the country’s Information Minister, Chernor Bah, said “some unidentified individuals” had tried to enter the military facility which also houses several foreign embassies, including those of Germany, China, Gambia, Lebanon, Syria and Austria.

“The public is assured that the government and our state security forces are in control,” Bah said, adding that the curfew was aimed at helping authorities apprehend the suspects behind the failed attack.

The United States Embassy in Sierra Leone has also condemned the attack on the Wilberforce Barracks military facility in Freetown early on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

In a statement, the Embassy expressed its unwavering support for the Sierra Leone government and its efforts to restore peace and security in the country. The statement also urged all Sierra Leoneans to adhere to the government-imposed curfew for their own safety.