By Amin Kef-Sesay
The Sierra Leone Police held its usual Press Conference on the 10th February 2022 at the its Headquarters’ Conference Room on George Street in Freetown during which topical issues, related to its activities in the country, that were making the big headlines were discussed.
One of those issues discussed was the demolition exercise it carried out at Tombo Park in order to pave the way for the construction of a modern market in Waterloo.
According to the Police between the hours of 2300 hours on the 9th February 2022 to 0300 hours on the 10th February 2022, they executed operation “Night Storm” at Tombo Park, Waterloo. The Press was further informed that during the exercise the Police provided the requisite security for the demolition of some makeshift structures along Waterloo, which as stated was a move made to ensure the construction of a modern market structure for the Waterloo Community and its environs.
Another issue that came up was the unlawful construction of speed bumps along major streets and roads. A senior engineer of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Tesslime Shyllon intimated the fourth estate that the construction of speed bumps on either streets or roads in cities and towns are strictly prohibited by the laws of the SLRA.
He emphasized that communities must seek the approval of SLRA through a written request by either a community head or a representative.
Shyllon added that communities wishing to construct speed bumps on roads or streets in cities and towns must apply to SLRA for justifiable reasons.
He concluded by noting that anyone who constructs speed bumps without the approval of SLRA commits an offence that is punishable by law.
Of particular interest was the issue related to the arrest of two people for aiding and abetting the escape of Baimba Moiforay who is popularly known as LA Chocolate for short LAC. It was disclosed to the Press that two immigration officials of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, Abubakarr Sesay of No. 10Y Thompson Bay, Off Wilkinson Road, Freetown, and Michael Momoh Bassie of No. 15 Newcastle Street Kissy Freetown have been arrested for allegedly aiding the escape of Baimba Moiforay, aka LAC
According to Detective Superintendent of Police, Francis Lebbie, the Operations Officer at the Criminal Investigation Department, the two arrested suspects were suspected to have prepared a fake passport for LAC which virtually aided his travelling from the country.
It was, however, stated that the public will be updated as the investigation progresses.
The unlawful possession of firearms was also a topical issue discussed. The Police intimated newsmen that one Peter Sesay of NASSIT Estate at Goderich in Freetown was on the 6th February 2022, at 0720 hours, at No. 2 River Beach Freetown arrested for being in possession of one (1) Gluck nine (9) pistol loaded with 9 rounds bullets.
According to the Police, he was arrested and he is currently helping the Police with their investigations. The question and answer session formed the highpoint of the Press Conference.
