Police in Sierra Leone have announced a scheme under which informants will receive a cash reward, as part of an operation designed to stem rising youth violence in the capital, Freetown.
Anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of any clique or gang leader who are known as 5’O, will receive Le 2 million (US$ 285), a statement issued this week says.
The statement, signed by the Inspector General of Police, Francis Munu, laments over the rise in youth crime which it says has become a menace to society.
“These groups parade the streets, armed with knives, machetes, sharp pointed objects and other corrosive substances which they use to terrorise and inflict harm to unsuspecting citizens going about their normal business,” it states.
Recently there have been fatal attacks in part of the city, mostly at night. Some of these attacks have been linked to armed robbery, but others are said to be gang-related. In a recent one in Central Freetown, police arrested about half a dozen youths as suspects in what they believe was a “revenge” attack.
A Freetown suburb, Mountain Cut, has been identified as one of the areas most dangerous at night due to the activities of armed bandits.
In his statement, Munu also informed the public of the institution of a “massive operation” designed to prevent, detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute clique and gang members.
A telephone line of 078963472 has been dedicated for people to call with information on names, addresses, description and the usual haunts of suspects.
Payments to successful informants will be done via the Airtel Money transfer service, the Police say.
(C) Politico 2016
