By Nasratu Kargbo
Following the release of a video showing a Police Officer assaulting a handcuffed man, youths in Zimmi , a town in Pujehun district where the incident reportedly happened, threatened to cause mayhem but had to be restrained. This was disclosed by Ward 350 Councilor, Abdul Karim Fofanah, who told Politico that the incident on Monday 25th October 2021 sparked so much outrage that they as community leaders, had to talk to the youths, for them not to take the law into their hands.
According to Fofanah, the video footage was circulated through their Chiefdom WhatsApp group, which caused the angry youths to march to the town’s Police station, looking for the officer.
He said he had to personally advise officers deployed in different locations around Zimmi to make themselves less visible because of the prevailing tense atmosphere .However, a Policeman was seen around town and was chased by the youths, and had his car almost burnt down.
He said the youths were still angry and he has advised all the officers who were on the video to stay away from the community for now, as people saw they did nothing to stop their colleague from assaulting the man.
The video showed the officer screaming at the handcuffed man named Michael, saying he was never a Customs Officer and was not on the government payroll.
When Politico contacted Michael, he stated that he was at the Police station and would get back to us. After a while, he was called on his phone again, but this time he explained he was on top of a motor bike from hospital in Zimmi, going home. He said he has been referred to a hospital in Freetown and will reach this news medium upon reaching the capital.
The Media and Public Relations Department of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has in a press release revealed that the Policeman who assaulted Michael “has been placed under administrative and criminal investigation”.
The SLP management also assured the public that their management will swiftly and judiciously investigate the incident. They also reaffirmed to the public that they will be informed accordingly about the findings from the investigations and any further line of action. The full identity of the officer has not been revealed.
Copyright © Politico Online 27/10/21
