Abdul Qasim kamara declared Wanted by Sierra Leone Police

Reports reaching this medium state that one Abdul Qasim kamara, of 23 city road wellington, Portee Freetown,

Has been declared ‘Wanted Person’ by the Sierra Leone Police in connection with the August 10th 2022 violent riot that took place in the Freetown, and resulted in the death of some 35 civilians and 6 police officers.

According to investigation mounted by this medium in respect of the said matter, it was revealed by family sources that Abdul Qasim kamara was within the vicinity of his house on the 11th August 2022, a day after the said riot, when news of a pending police raid in the area filtered through the community, and he is said to have returned to his house and alerted family members that some youths in the community, known to be supporters of the ruling party, have told the security forces that he was among the rioters, and they will come looking for him.

Family sources continued that Abdul Qasim kamara was in the house that fateful day (in the morning), when some armed security personnel, in the company of armed youths (armed with machetes, sticks, guns and knives), alighted from a government security jeep that had no registration number (averting identification), and menacingly forced their way into the house, breaking the front door.

And Abdul Qasim Kamara was arrested with some other youth’s within the community and was taking to the police station according to source were he later escape and return home.

His close friend explained to this writer that after his escape from the police Custody he returns home to make sure his younger ones are safe before the security forces Storm his house the Night and ask everybody to sit on the floor, whilst the officers and the youths searched the house for Abdul Qasim kamara but to no avail.

They furthered that Abdul Qasim kamara had escaped through the back door, when they heard the unregistered vehicle screech to a sudden halt outside their house. They furthered that they were beaten and threatened with death if they fail to produce Abdul Qasim kamara. But after turning the entire house upside down, and not finding him, they informed them that they will return and will not relent until they find him.

Another Friend of Abdul Qasim kamara, who is in Makeni spoke to this medium on basis of anonymity, said that when Abdul Qasim kamara escaped from his house on the 11th August 2022, he sheltered him until the 20th March 2023, but that Abdul Qasim kamara left his house, as there were indications that some youth’s that were leaving in the same area in freetown spotted Abdul Qasim kamara.

He explained that what had been the norm immediately after the riot was that the security forces, in the company of ruling party youths and thugs, were raiding homes of known opposition supporters arresting them and in some cases taking them to unknown places. Some of these youth’s have not returned, and are feared dead.

He added that since Abdul Qasim kamara left his house on the 20th March 2023, his whereabouts are unknown. Family members also say that since Abdul Qasim kamara left the house on the night of the 11th August 2022, he has not returned, nor do they have any idea of his whereabouts.

They fear for his life, especially as there are news of people being summarily executed by the security forces in reprisal for the 6 police officers said to have been killed during the said riot by the mob.
Our investigation further revealed that a lot of opposition supporters and members were targeted, some killed and dumped in unregistered government jeeps and taken away to unknown locations. In the case of Abdul Qasim kamara.

As the media pressed the police to comment on the arrests and disappearances of those youths, the media officer of the police explained that a list of wanted persons had been put up, but that there were also others that they are looking for, and will not relent until they are arrested and brought to book. In his comment on the riot of 10th August 2022,

As we go to press, the whereabouts of Abdul Qasim kamara are still unknown, and family members are afraid that he may have been killed. Furthermore, many relatives of people killed during the riots by the security forces, have not been able to identify their loved ones at the country’s main mortuary, as the facility is under heavy police and military protection.