RSLAF Officer Alhaji Madiyie Turay faces disciplinary action, manhandled, detained, dismissed and declared wanted
By Thaimu Thullah
Reports from Waterloo, Western rural district of Freetown, have it that an officer of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Alhaji Madiyie Turay, who stays at the Armed Forces Training Centre in Benguema Barracks, Waterloo, was arrested, beaten and placed under detention and later dismissed for refusing to follow orders during the recent August 10 Protest staged few days ago.
The protest was organized by a group named PPP whose leader is known as Adebayo. Adebayo is known to be a social media commentator and freedom fighter who believes in using the social media space to educate the public on issues of national interest. Because of the love for his broadcast, people believe in whatever he says and therefore they supported his call for a three day protest to denounce the rising cost of goods and services in the country. Times SL Newspaper rural correspondent who was on the ground filed this report. According to Military Spokesperson, Colonel Bangura, he said, Alhaji Madiyie Turay failed to follow orders and according to the Military’s rule of engagement, ” any officer who refuses to follow orders should be disciplined”.
He said, Turay was among military and police officers deployed to dispersed civilian protesters who were reported to have staged an unlawful protest in trying to overthrow the elected Government of President Julius Maada Bio. Bangura added that during the protest, some police officers alongside military officers were brutally murdered and that led to the commander to give orders for officers on the ground to open fire by way of scaring the protesters. This he said, was to scare the protesters so that they would disperse and leave the street. He pointed out that major streets were barricaded and that government offices were looted with police detention centres vandalized. This according to Bangura is not a protest but a coup to overthrow the elected government. Therefore, as Military officers, their loyalty is to the state and for one of them to betray orders clearly exposed the individual to be a conspirator . Bangura maintained that Turay should face the Court Martial to answer for his crime.
When asked why was Turay manhandled, beaten and left to suffer in detention without food and water for some days and later dismissed and declared wanted, Bangura added that the military has its own way of instilling discipline and that could be one . He expressed that if the media venture to play on the story then the military has it now way of responding militarily.
In an effort to speak to Turay in detention, Times SL Newspaper Rural Correspondent was also brutalized by officers at the Military barracks. The matter has been reported to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists.
A few days after his release, Alhaji Madiyie Turay’s name and photos were placed in different locations on warrant. A bounty of Le 25,000 which is approximately $1,000 was placed on his head for anyone that could give information that will lead to his arrest.
However, what was initially said to be an allegation of “refusing to take orders” was later changed to mutiny against the state. Sierra Leone law considers mutiny as a serious offence and once charged under that law it is likely for one to die either by hanging or life imprisonment if found guilty by Military Court Martial. Therefore, Turay’s fate now hangs in the balance as his whereabouts remain unknown.
Civil Society Activist, Thomas Pa Ali Babadi condemned the action of the military against RSLAF Alhaji Madiyie Turay. In his words, Babadi said, ” I am not surprised to see a member of the military being maltreated, manhandled and later dismissed for deliberately refusing to follow orders that will innocent lives. We should see Turay as a hero. Though declared wanted, we are calling on the international community to speak out and protect Turay. I have also been a victim of the same thing under this ruthless government” Babadi ended.