By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
Bodyguards of the former President, Ernest Bai Koroma, were involved in the attempted coup of 26th November 2023, according to Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Peter Lavahun.
Lavahum made this statement at the government’s weekly press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tower Hill, Freetown on 28th November 2023.
He said most of the attackers were the former President’s bodyguards such as “Leather Boot, Sorieba, and others”. He however could not ascertain whether the attempted “coup” was linked with former President Ernest Bai Koroma, noting that “maybe they, the assailants, acted on their own.” He added that there is an ongoing investigation, and promised that they would inform the public on the outcome of the investigations.
He said the assailants broke into the Wilberforce Barracks armory at around 2 a.m., and one of them was killed. With the combined forces, he said they repelled the assailants. ”They later attempted to attack the Joint Logistics Unit (JLU) at Murray Town,” he said, adding that they were repelled.
One of the attackers Idrissa nicknamed Leather Boot was shot in the foot and died of his wounds. “Two other soldiers who were in hiding in the military facility were also arrested,” he said, adding some of the assailants escaped.
He noted that the breakage at the armory was done by outsiders and not those who were on duty. “To say there are people within, that also needed to be investigated, and that is what we are doing,” Lavahum said.
The officer said they were mopping up in chasing the attackers, saying they conducted what he termed as hot pursuit. ”We were at Orogu and up the hills at Allen Town, where we were able to recover two vehicles that contained arms and ammunitions, such as RPGs, Six bombs, and fifteen AK47 riffles that they carted away with” he added.
He said the commander of the Wilberforce barracks has been arrested for investigations. He said the commander had the responsibility to ensure that the armory was under “tight security”.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah said fourteen military personnel, a Police officer, and one correctional officer were killed. “Three of the assailants lost their lives,” he added.
Bah said thirteen military personnel and one civilian are in custody.
In his remarks, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu said they are investigating a “failed coup”, saying there were several gun battles in parts of the city. He said they are investigating those who were involved in the November 26 incident.
The Former president has in a press release dated 26th November 2023 condemned the security breach. In the statement, he alleged that a military guard assigned to him by the state was killed at his Goderich residence in Freetown.
“Corporal Eddie Conteh was reportedly shot at point blank range while his colleague, Warrant Officer John Swarray was whisked away to an unknown location” a part reads.
Koroma in his release emphasized that any action, event, or pronouncement that threatens to undermine the political and social stability of the state should have no place in democracy.
He stated, “While it is imperative to restore law and order, I urge for calm and for all stakeholders to continue on the path of peaceful dialogue in resolving differences”.
His party the All Peoples Congress Party in a press release dated 27th November 2023 also condemned the incident describing it as the “dastardly acts of violence.”
However, the party’s release also noted with dismay President Julius Maada Bio’s statement to the high-powered delegation from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which pointedly associated the APC with the August 10 protests, and attributed their party’s contestation of the June 24 elections results to the violent.
The party categorically condemns “any attempt to associate our party to any form of violence. As a responsible political party, we strongly believe in the assumption of power through the ballot box and not through the barrel of a gun.”
“That is why we have maintained, in no uncertain terms, our vehement condemnation of the use of brutal force by any party to gain and/or retain power,” part of the release reads.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (01/12/23)
