Lunsar Riot… Police Declares Alimamy Jalloh & Others Wanted
Lunsar Riot... Police Declares Alimamy Jalloh & Others Wanted
Lunsar Riot…
Police Declares Alimamy Jalloh & Others Wanted
Following the riot in Lunsar in the northern part of Sierra Leone which took place on the 30th April,2020 claiming the lives of people, and resulting into several people to sustain serious injuries, the Sierra Leone Police has launched full scale investigation to get to the bottom of the riot and bring all those responsible for orchestrating it to book.
According to eyewitnesses, the riot was well planned, Premeditated and well executed to disturb the peace and tranquility of Lunsar. The riot was masterminded by certain group of people who accused the Paramount Chief, PC Koblo Queen 11 for misappropriating public funds, which has left the township grossly underdeveloped and among other things.
Report further indicates that on the morning hour of 30th April, 2020, Alimamy Jalloh, President of Lunsar Youths for Progressive Development(LYPD) together with the Youth Leader of Lunsar, Sulaiman Ibrahim Kabia aka Bulgur, posted messages on various Whatsapp groups accusing the Paramount Chief of Lunsar, PC Koblo Queen 11 of misappropriation of public funds and also blamed him for conniving with the Government to shut down the mining company which has caused hardship on them.
They also accused the Paramount Chief for bringing people in the township to install 5G Poles, which according to them, was to infect the inhabitants with Corona virus.
According to our sources, PC Koblo Queen lodged the complaints of the youths to the Lunsar Police Station and eventually the Police invited Sulaiman Ibrahim Kabia alias bulgur (the Youth Leader) and Alimamy Jalloh to report to the police and answer to questions related to incitement and provocation against the Paramount Chief.
The Police was able to interrogate and detained Sulaiman Ibrahim Kabia aka Bulgur but was unable to get rid of Alimamy Jalloh.
Sources say the arrest of the youth leader triggered the riot as the angry youths took to the street and demanding the release of their leader.
During the riot, several buildings were burnt down including Police stations and residence of Chief was also set ablaze and other public and private properties.
Sources also reveal that the police station and residence of the Chief was destroyed and at least one person, a nephew to the Chief was killed as a result of the incident.
50 People were arrested and placed behind bars, but report states that, 9 out of the 50 suspects were released on bail.
The Sierra Leone Police Spokesman declined to comment or clarify on the issue after several requests made by Voice of Salone Newspaper.
But information reaching this press reveal that the incident was politically motivated.
Chief Superintendent Turay, our source say, was very angry at his bosses for releasing the nine suspects who were in detention for their involvement in the riot without authority.
Turay was quoted to have said “This case had to do with a Paramount Chief and has a political undertone. It must be investigated before anyone is released from police custody”.
Document in possession of this press corroborate part of Turay’s claims.
Meanwhile, some human rights groups have intervened and called for the immediate release for all the suspects in the police custody and also urges for a fair trial to be served on the suspects.
The Human Rights Groups in their report considered the riot as politically motivated.
The matter is still under police custody and that they have declared a warrant of arrest for Alimamy Jalloh and the other suspects who are presently on the run.
Portloko is known to be an opposition Turf. The Youths who were involved in the protest are thought to be affiliated to the main opposition All People’s Congress.
One of the dozens of people who were detained in the aftermath of the riot is a former APC Parliamentarian.
