By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The officer in charge of Faama Police post in Nomo chiefdom, Kenema district eastern Sierra Leone, Inspector Alusine S. Bangura has expressed dismay over the physical condition of his post.
In a recent interview with Politico Inspector Bangura described the post “deplorable and that with no lodging facilities for officers they have resorted to using the post as a dwelling place and there is no holding cell to detain suspects even when a felonious offence is committed.
He said his mean do joint border patrol along Sierra Leone and Liberia boundary with soldiers, but that there is only one armed OSD personnel assigned to the Faama Police. "We are at risk keeping suspects especially for state offences such as murder and sexual penetration. In fact sometimes suspects escape to nearby Liberia.”
He added that Nomo chiefdom needs attention in the areas of personnel, because there are many porous borders on the border with Liberia and urged the Assistant Inspector General of Police East, Thomas Mustapha Lahai and the senior management of the Sierra Leone police force to intervene and in change the status of Faama Police post.
He said he has channeled their concerns to the chiefdom authorities and that the paramount chief of Nomo chiefdom, Alfred Kabba Kanneh has promised to provide space for the construction of new police post and accommodation for officers.
The chief told Politico that he is aware of the poor state of the police post and other difficulties police and other security personnel are going through in securing the boarders. "My chiefdom is backward in terms of communication, the police post and the poor road network", adding that the government needs to pay attention to the boarder chiefdoms in the areas of communication, security,” he said.
Paramount Chief Kanneh confirmed that land will be allocated for the construction of the police post and called on the Kenema district council, the Sierra Leone Police and the ministry of internal affairs to look into the challenges facing the police in his chiefdom.
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