By Ibrahim Sesay
In a shocking turn of events that has shaken the peaceful community of Koya in the Western Rural District, the Sierra Leone Police have declared Osman Kargbo, said to be one of the key figures behind the violent August 10, 2022 protests, as a wanted man.
He is now facing serious accusations of conspiracy and riotous conduct, the latter of which has been classified by authorities as a treasonable offence under national law.
According to Police sources and community accounts, Osman Kargbo went into hiding after the 2022 unrest that erupted in several parts of the country. The protests, marked by chaos and anti-Government slogans such as “Bio must go,” were condemned by state officials as an orchestrated attempt to destabilize the nation. While economic frustration was cited by many as the catalyst, the Government pointed fingers at the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), accusing them of inciting the riots.
Osman Kargbo, whose name had surfaced in intelligence reports from that turbulent period, reportedly fled the public eye and quietly resurfaced in a community, known as Kwama, in the Koya District, where he took up work as a storekeeper and part-time security guard at a local warehouse. The facility, a vital storage hub for seeds and food items used by farmers and market women, soon became the scene of a troubling crime.
On the night of July 28, 2024, the warehouse was reportedly broken into and emptied by thieves, while Osman was on duty. Witnesses and victims say he raised no alarm and offered no resistance during the robbery. Some community members now believe he was complicit in the act. The theft left many residents devastated, especially women who depended on the warehouse to store their seasonal harvests.
When the incident was reported, Osman Kargbo was invited by the Police for questioning. He never showed up. As word spread of his suspicious disappearance, deeper investigations unearthed his alleged connection to the August 2022 riots. Police now say the same man accused of helping orchestrated violent protests has also become a central suspect in a robbery that robbed local livelihoods.
The dual allegations have ignited public outrage. Furious residents of Koya, including victims of the warehouse theft and supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), reportedly descended on a house where Osman Kargbo was believed to be hiding. Armed with knives, machetes, and broken bottles, they combed the area in search of him. But Osman Kargbo, it appears, had already escaped through a back route and has been on the run ever since.
In response, the Sierra Leone Police have formally declared Osman Kargbo wanted. Authorities are calling on the public to assist in locating him but are also urging citizens not to take matters into their own hands.
This report by our investigative reporter uncovers more than just the story of one man’s fall from public view; it highlights the growing tension between economic desperation, political mistrust, and justice in Sierra Leone. The case of Osman Kargbo stands as a stark reminder of how alleged individual wrongdoing can inflame already vulnerable communities. The Police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and justice will take its course.
