Reports reaching this medium state that one Abu Bakarr Sesay, who was a member of Love Salone and lef bad heart Whatsapp group were the protest was planned according to source by a well-known Activist who leaves abroad by the name of Adabayoh. Abu Bakarr Sesay who leave at Congo Wata, East of 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 country, 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 Abu Bakarr Sesay was part of the Youths who stage the Protest on that day on their way to statehouse he was shoot and arrested by the Security Forces and was taken to Police Station for questions, were later Angry protesters bash into the police station and free all protesters that were arrested.
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 Abu Bakarr Sesay never returned back home after he was brake out of police custody, that fateful day (in the night), 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.
Family members explained to this writer that they were all forced to sit on the floor, whilst the officers and the youths searched the house for Abu Bakarr Sesay but to no avail. They furthered said that they were beaten and threatened with death if they fail to produce Abu Bakarr Sesay. 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.
A friend of Abu Bakarr Sesay, who spoke to this medium on basis of anonymity, said that when Abu Bakarr Sesay left his house on the 10th August 2022, he sheltered him until the 14th August 2022, but that Abu Bakarr Sesay left his house, as there were indications that the security forces had embarked on a house-to-house search for him and other youths, known to be supporters of the main opposition party in the community. 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 as well as members of the Love Salone Lef Bad heart, arresting them, and in some cases taking them to unknown places.
Some of these have not returned, and are feared dead. He added that since Abu Bakarr Sesay left his house on the 14th August 2022, his whereabouts are unknown. Family members also say that since Abu Bakarr Sesay left the house on the 10th August 2022, he has not returned, nor do they have any idea of his whereabouts.
They fear for his life, especially as there is 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 supporters and members of Love Salone lef Bad heart were targeted, some killed and dumped in unregistered government jeeps and taken away to unknown locations.
In the case of Abu Bakarr Sesay, Times SL Investigation uncovered that he was not a member of any political party but he is being declared wanted because of his membership with Love Salone lef Bad heart and his role-played help bring out people in number that took part on the August 10th protest. On one such occasion,
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, President Bio told the international media (BBC) that the protesters were terrorists and the main opposition party was behind the entire episode. This, many see, as the reason for the indiscriminate attacks, killings and arrests of known opposition party members and supporters. The police have put a bounty on the heads of the people they are looking for.
As we go to press, the whereabouts of Abu Bakarr Sesay 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.