By Abass Jalloh
The Nigerian High Commission in Sierra Leone has cautioned all its citizens in Sierra Leone to maintain calm and restraints as they observe the current unrest in the country which is a result of the August 10th riot in some parts of the country including the eastern part of the capital Freetown leading to the death of civilians and police officers.
The commission in a notice noted that it was aware of a viral audio attributed to the Nigerian military officers, alleging that they were involved in the protests and are responsible for the “deaths of protesters during the widespread demonstrations”.
“We urge all Nigerians across the country to maintain calm and be law abiding,” the statement from the commission reads, noting that the commission has engaged “relevant host government agencies on the viral audio and investigations have commenced to unravel the perpetrators of this falsehood.”
Politico saw a video that actually related to one of the civilian protests in Nigeria in which a military officer could be heard warning a Policeman dressed in blue combat fatigues similar to those worn by Sierra Leone’s Operational Support Division of the Police, to stop shooting at civilians.
While the ruling government in Sierra Leone saw the initiation of the said protest as against the law due to the absence of police clearance, the main opposition reacted that the protest had nothing to do with them, and some believed it was a fundamental right to a peaceful demonstration.
In his address to the nation on the night of Friday 12th August, President Julius Maada Bio condemned the protests and sent condolences to the bereaved families, noting that perpetrators of the actions would face the law.
Most local organizations and many other international bodies including the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and U.S. Embassy condemned the violence and urged for citizens’ calmness and restraint.
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