News

By Francis H. Murray

The Independent Police Complaint Board (IPCB) has commenced preliminary investigations into the conduct of security personnel who fired live bullets at protesters in the Northern city of Makeni over the weekend. Five people died and at nine others were injured during the skirmishes.

By Prince Musa in Kenema

The Resident Magistrate of Kenema, Joseph Tobby has expressed fear for his safety saying he is worried that he may be harmed by an OSD officer.

The officer, Lamina Kallon, was his state-assigned guard and has now fled after allegedly stealing from his residence.

Expressing “serious doubts” about the conduct of the police force itself, Magistrate Tobby said: “I am disturbed in mind about state of security because if a police officer that should protect civilians now turns to do such thing then what is happening”.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The southern Sierra Leone district of Moyamba is set to get electricity for the first time in 40 years. Over the weekend the Minister of Energy and other officials signed a deal with the Indian power provider, Shivary Company for the electrification of the district.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

A rights-based nongovernmental organization, Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) has called on the government and other relevant institutions to speedily investigate and give justice to families of protesters who were shot dead in last weekend’s protests in Makeni.

By Mildred Christiana Saccoh

At least four people were killed in Makeni on Saturday after a second day of violent protests by youths opposed to the relocation of a standby electricity generator from the Power House to the airport town of Lungi.

Hospital sources confirmed to Politico at press time that all of them, including a 15-year-old boy, died from gunshot wounds. They say at least 10 others were injured with four of them having been referred to the Emergency Hospital and Connaught Hospital in Freetown.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

Campaigners against rape and other domestic violence acts against women and girls in Sierra Leone say they have raised over US$100,000, equivalent to Le1, 013, 993, 000 through the Survivors Solidarity Fund set up to support survivors of rape in the country.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

Police in the southern district of Pujehun have arrested a 16 year old boy for allegedly raping a 13 year old girl. The alleged incident occurred on Friday at Fairo Village, Sorogbeima Chiefdom.

The alleged victim has since been taken to the district headquarters town by her family for medical checkup.

The police confirmed the incident to Politico.