By Prince Musa in Kenema
Eight suspects escaped from police custody in Kenema at around 02:00am on Monday.
They include Umaru Vandi Gbao, who, as reported last week by Politico, allegedly killed a cookery seller after refusing to pay for her food.
According to the Kenema police media, the other suspects are Ibrahim Fofana, Gassimu Morie, Ernest Kamara, Jah James Konneh, Alfred Musa, Prince Kamara and Jeremiah Fomolu who were being held for various offences ranging from murder, robbery with aggravation, store-breaking and larceny to wounding with intent.
According to officers attached to the community relations department of the Kenema Division, Constables Brima James Musa and Hassan Rogers, one police constable Jaward was in charge of the lockup. He left it unlocked and went to buy water without informing four other officers who were on duty with him, among them one Inspector Melvin, the night commander.
The suspects apparently noticed this and mounted their escape.
All five police officers have been suspended while the internal police disciplinary body – CDIID – is investigating them.
None of the suspects have yet been arrested.
These escapes come a month after the regional police commander, AIG Alfred Karrow-Kamara said on a local radio that whenever he was out of Kenema serious incidents would happen.
Sources say this statement did not go down well with other senior officers in the Division who felt embarrassed by it.
© Politico 20/07/16
