By Thaimu Thullah
The Sierra Leone Police have declared Abu Bakarr Sankoh wanted among those allegedly accused of being behind the August 10 protest in the country. Media investigations indicate that Sankoh, who is known to be an APC member, was allegedly implicated in the August 10 protest. Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding Abu Bakarr Sankoh uncovered a troubling account involving political tensions, an alleged attack, the deaths of two men, a reported arrest warrant, and a prolonged period in hiding. Sankoh, a known member of the All People’s Congress (APC) Youth Wing based in Freetown, is the subject of a police investigation following the nationwide protests of August 10, 2022.
Investigations uncovered that Sankoh’s case is similar to others declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police on allegations of incitement and public disorder—charges the police leveled against those implicated in the August 10 protest. According to various sources, it is understood that Sankoh allegedly participated in the demonstrations and became wanted by the police a few days after the situation was brought under control. It will be recalled that several opposition supporters were attacked, while others were arrested and detained. It was against this political backdrop that the police, alongside the military, embarked on rampant arrests and the detention of all those implicated. A few days after the protests, Sankoh was reportedly walking home with two friends, Abdul Kamara and David Bayoh, at approximately 8:00 p.m. Eyewitness accounts suggest that some youths wearing T-shirts associated with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) confronted them. According to the witnesses, who spoke to this medium on condition of anonymity, the men accused Sankoh and his colleagues of being active APC youth members involved in organizing protests and political unrest. Sankoh allegedly denied his involvement and maintained that his political affiliation was the reason he was targeted.
Sankoh was confronted in an incident that escalated into a violent attack. During the scuffle, Sankoh and his two companions were beaten for more than an hour with sticks and other objects. Sankoh sustained injuries to his head and right rib cage before losing consciousness. Sankoh’s friends, Abdul Kamara and David Bayoh, died during the incident. Family sources disclosed that an elderly community member, Hassan Kamara, later saved Sankoh from being killed. The attackers, who are known to be members and supporters of the ruling SLPP government, allegedly threatened to kill Sankoh if they encountered him again. Sankoh was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he spent some days receiving treatment. While recovering from his hospital bed, news reached him that authorities were looking for him and that an arrest warrant had been issued for him. In his public broadcast to the nation, President Julius Maada Bio referred to all those who took part in the protest as terrorists. Valnora Edwin, Head of Campaign for Good Governance, a civil society organization in the country, told journalists that the police should be careful with the manner of arrests.
She explained that SLPP supporters were taking undue advantage of the situation to unlawfully target individuals with whom they had prior issues. She outrightly condemned the unlawful detention of opposition supporters who had nothing to do with the protest and called for fair treatment of all. Police Spokesman Brima Kamara said all those declared wanted have a case to answer. He advised that those whose names and photos have been released by the police should report to the authorities or be ready to face the consequences. Sankoh was among those declared wanted and has been in hiding ever since. His whereabouts remain unknown, but he is still wanted by the police. The investigation continues.