By Foday Turay
More than months after the violent unrest that shook parts of Freetown and other cities, the whereabouts of Abdul Bangura, popularly known as “Dullman,” remain unknown, despite continued interest from security authorities investigating the deadly events of 2022 Sierra Leone protests.
Bangura, who previously lived at Yandama Farm, off Blackhall Road in central Freetown, was known in his community as an operator for a local sachet water business at Shell Old Road, Samels. However, according to information gathered during inquiries into the unrest, his name later surfaced in connection with the violent disturbances that erupted on August 10, 2022, when protests over economic hardship and political grievances escalated into clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
The events of that day quickly spiraled into one of the most serious episodes of civil unrest in recent years. Streets in parts of Freetown and several provincial towns were blocked, tyres were burned, and confrontations between protesters and security personnel turned violent. The disturbances led to multiple casualties, including civilians and members of the security forces.
Authorities later confirmed that several police officers and security personnel lost their lives during the clashes. One of the incidents that drew particular attention from investigators involved the killing of a police officer Sergeant Tommy Munda, who had been deployed on duty to restore order during the disturbances.
Security sources say investigations launched after the riots led to the arrest of several suspects believed to have participated in attacks against law enforcement personnel and public property. During those investigations, Bangura’s name reportedly emerged among individuals wanted for questioning in relation to the killing of the officer.
The Sierra Leone Police subsequently listed him among persons of interest connected to the violence. By the time arrests began in several neighborhoods, however, Bangura had already disappeared.
Residents of Blackhall Road who were familiar with him say he has not been seen in the area since the period following the unrest. Some neighbors recall that news of arrests linked to the riots created fear among individuals suspected of involvement, prompting several people to leave their homes.
Since then, Bangura’s whereabouts have remained a mystery.
Security officials have continued searching for suspects linked to the deadly events, but no confirmed information has surfaced about Bangura’s location. Individuals familiar with the investigations say authorities have not ruled out the possibility that he may have fled the capital shortly after the riots.
The August 10 unrest exposed deep social and economic tensions within Sierra Leone at the time. Demonstrations initially driven by frustration over rising living costs and unemployment deteriorated into violent confrontations that resulted in loss of life, destruction of property, and widespread fear across affected communities.
Human rights observers later noted that the violence carried serious consequences for both civilians and security personnel. The deaths recorded during the clashes, including those of police officers, underscored the dangers faced by law enforcement officers deployed to maintain public order during large scale unrest.
While several suspects connected to the riots have been prosecuted or detained, the case involving the killing of the police officer remains one of the unresolved aspects of the investigations.
For now, Abdul Bangura once known in his neighborhood simply as “Dullman” remains missing, his fate unknown, and authorities continue to seek information that could help clarify his role and whereabouts in connection with the events of August 10.