By Saio Marrah
24 Juveniles are currently in police custody following the recent violent protest that occurred in some parts of Sierra Leone.
Speaking at a news conference held at the Police Head Quarters in Freetown on Tuesday 26th August 2022, the Minister of Internal Affairs, David Panda Noah said that following the August 10th incident, a lot of arrests were made within the theatre of violence saying: “it will surprise you to know that among those arrested were children or juveniles who are now in the custody of the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police”.
Noah added that they want to further explore ways of identifying the parents or guidance of the 18 boys and 6 girls taken in by the police, in the wake of the riots.
“The ultimate objective of identifying their parent is to assure them that their children are in the safe custody of the FSU and then work out a mechanism of reuniting them with their parents,” he said.
According to him, the rights of the juvenile have been guaranteed and they will continue to be guaranteed.
He noted that relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been partnered with to ensure that they could be adequately taken care of as prescribed by law and other conventions that deal with children.
The Minister said the FSU has compiled the personal details of the children such as names, addresses, and contact numbers of their parents or guidance.
“Family members should have no fear coming forward to identify their children or wards, your safety is guaranteed. That is the more reason why we resolve to have the Ministry of Social Welfare take the lead in contacting and identifying the parents,” the minister said.
He also noted that the said Juveniles were arrested right across the country where the protest occurred.
The Director of Compliance at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Ansu Konneh, noted that as the role of their ministry is to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable people in that country including children, they already have data on the 24 children in police custody and that they are within the age range of 12 to 17.
Konneh said as they are working to ensure their welfare needs are adhered to, they will conduct a thorough assessment to ensure the age each gave was correct .
He also said they are working with their partners such as Don Bosco, Unicef, and Defence for Children International for admission to the Approved School and Remand Home, so the children will go to the right places.
He added that psychosocial supports have been provided and that they have secured some materials like clothing for the children.
Meanwhile Assistant Inspector General of Police, Aiah Samadia, on Monday 15 August called on the bereaved families of the six police personnel brutally murdered during the same riots to assist the SLP to identify the perpetrators.
Samadia reiterated President Julius Maada Bio’s statements of making sure that all those responsible for the murder of the police officers face the law.
He said this during a Police Management Board consolatory meeting with the family members of the slain officers.
The meeting also discussed preparation ahead of a State Funeral planned for six officers now known to have died.
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