August10times-sierraleone.com
Reports reaching this medium state that one Alimamy Kamara, who was an ground foot soldier for the APC party was among the protesters, according to source by a well-known Activist who leaves Abroard by the name of Adabayoh. Alimamy Kamara who lives Eastern part of Freetown has been declared a ‘Wanted Person’ by the Sierra Leone Police in connection with the August 10th, 2022 violent protest that took place in the country and resulted in the death of 35 civilians and 6 police officers. According to an investigation mounted by this medium in respect of the said matter, it was alleged by sources that Alimamy Kamara was part of the Youths who staged the Protest on that day, on their way to the state house they were dispersed by the Sierra Leone police, and some protesters were arrested, beaten and taken to the Police Station for questioning and later sent to the Sierra Leone Operational Support Division (BENGAZY).
On that fateful day 10th August 2022, family members told this medium that late in the evening hours the Sierra Leone Police Operational Support Division, broke into the house in search of Alimamy Kamara and others and he was arrested with support of Some youths in the community known to be supporters of the ruling party (SOJA TEAM), informed the primary security forces that Alimamy Kamara was among the rioters.
Family sources continued that Alimamy Kamara returned home after the August 10th, 2022 demonstration on 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 threateningly and forced their way into the house, broke 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 even when Alimamy Kamara was arrested.
They further said that they were beaten and threatened with death because the harbored Alimamy Kamara After turning the entire house upside down.
A friend of Alimamy Kamara who spoke to this medium on anonymity said that on the way to the police station (Bengazy), fight broke out between the police and some protester that night by which Alimamy Kamara was able to escape. 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 Organization arresting them and, in some cases taking them to unknown places. Among those arrested quite a good number have not returned and are feared dead. He added that since Alimamy Kamara was taken by the police his whereabouts are unknown.
According to sources, most of the fugitives used the bushes around the city Freetown to escape.
Family members also said that since Alimamy Kamara left the house, he has not returned, nor do they know his whereabouts. They fear for his life, especially as there is news of people being summarily executed by the primary security forces in reprisal for their alleged involvement in the August 10th, 2022 demonstration. Our investigation further revealed that a lot of supporters and members of Love Salone left Bad Heart and supporters of the main opposition were targeted, some killed and dumped in unregistered government jeeps and taken away to unknown locations. In the case of Alimamy Kamara, Times SL Investigation uncovered that he was an active member of the opposition. He has been declared wanted because of a political witch hunt and is alleged to be associated with Love Salone left Bad Heart. 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 and that there were also others that they were looking for and would not relent until they are arrested and brought to justice.
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 and as we go to press the whereabouts of Alimamy 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 was under heavy police and military protection.