July 20, 2016 By Mohamed Massaquoi
Head of Police in the Bonthe municipality has disclosed that 12 individuals have been arrested following the incident that led to the death of two teenagers last Sunday.
Superintendent Amadu Mohamed Turay said security forces were not intimidated by the activities of members of the Poro society, thus the arrests of the assailants, adding that they are charged with the responsibility of protecting lives and property.
“We are still investigating the matter and I cannot proffer any charges at the moment. What is very clear is that the entire township came under attack by the Poro boys. I am a member of the Poro society and I am not in any way intimidated by their activities, I want to inform the public that the leader of the group, one Michael Palmer, has also been arrested,” said Supt. Turay.
Head of Media and Public Relations for the military, Colonel Usman Turay, said the Poro men attacked the RSLAF Maritime Wing Base in Bonthe, which is the forward operating base that secures Sierra Leone’s maritime defence.
“While they were intercepted by the naval solders, the group captured the radio operator, RSLAF 181810233 AB Sesay, who was sized together with his weapon; he was severely wounded by machetes and other offensive weapons which caused him serious bodily harm. He is now at the 34 military hospital responding to treatment,” he said, adding that in order to secure the release of their personnel and the weapon, warning shots were fired in the air.
“Surprisingly, members of the mob Poro group became frightened, letting go of the soldier and his weapon. The attackers left and came back the next day, this time they were singing war songs with the intension of burning down the base. After the confrontation, two of the attackers died at the hospital while the Officer-in-Charge and other four soldiers sustained injuries,” he explained.
Meanwhile, a day time curfew that was imposed on the island to calm tension has been eased, beginning from 8pm to 6am.