By Karifa Thoronka
Panic spread through the central ward of a local hospital in Freetown on Thursday evening after reports emerged that police officers had entered the facility searching for David Sankoh who is believed to be connected to an ongoing investigation. Witnesses said several patients, including members of the gay community in Sierra Leone receiving treatment at the hospital, fled the premises fearing arrest or harassment.
According to hospital staff, the incident began shortly after police officers arrived and questioned workers about the whereabouts of David Sankoh the male suspect. As news of the search moved through the hospital building, confusion and fear quickly followed, prompting some patients to leave before completing their treatment.
Arbitrary arrests and detention of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Sierra Leone is alarming in the Country, and its causing serious intimidations and harassment for people practicing gay or those who are defending their acts.
“It is shocking that the police who should be protecting Sierra Leoneans raided a hospital in search of gay.
“One moment everything was calm, and the next people were rushing out,” said a nurse who requested anonymity because she was not authorized to speak publicly. “Some patients were terrified they might be questioned or targeted.”
While speaking with one close family member of David Sankoh. He said that David has been missing since he was assaulted and almost killed by his family and community members, and later eyewitness said he was taken to the hospital for treatment, that why the police went in search of him at the hospital.
Community leaders have called for calm while urging authorities to ensure that medical facilities remain protected from actions that could endanger patients or interrupt urgent care services. While continuing the search for David Sankoh.
