President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone sent a special message of assurance from his Presidential Lodge, which is located not far from the scene of the early-morning gun attack in Freetown.

At the Military Barracks in Wilberforce, Freetown, an alarming security breach occurred early in the morning when unknown attackers targeted the military arsenal. The Sierra Leone Security Forces moved quickly to repel the assault and quickly brought peace back to the region.

Details surrounding the motives and identities of the attackers remain shrouded in uncertainty, as authorities work diligently to piece together the events that transpired during the assault on the military facility.

President Bio highlighted the need for ongoing caution in his speech. The entire country has been placed under lockdown, with residents being advised to stay indoors as the Security Forces work together to find the attackers who ran away.

President Bio underlined the priceless importance of peace for the country and restated the government’s dedication to preserving Sierra Leone’s stability. Unfazed by this episode, he declared his steadfast commitment to defending democracy and urged all Sierra Leoneans to share this shared duty.

President Bio’s speech reads,

“Fellow Sierra Leoneans,

I bring you greetings from the Presidential Lodge in Freetown.

In the early hours of this morning, there was a breach of security at the Military Barracks at Wilberforce in Freetown, as some unidentified individuals attacked the military armory.

However, they were repelled by our gallant Security Forces and calm has been restored.

As the combined team of our Security Forces continue to root out the remnant of the fleeing renegades, a nationwide curfew has been declared and citizens are encouraged to stay indoors.

The PEACE of our beloved NATION is PRICELESS and we shall continue to protect the peace and security of Sierra Leone against the forces that wish to truncate our much-cherished stability.

We remain resolute in our determination to protect democracy in Sierra Leone and I urge all Sierra Leoneans to unite towards this collective responsibility.

Long Live the Republic of Sierra Leone.”

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Sierra Leone has strongly 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.