By Karifa Thoronka
According to one of our correspondent who was around Wilberforce Community, reported that a violent confrontation occurred at the Wilberforce military barracks in Freetown. Armed individuals attempted to breach the armory, leading to clashes with security forces. The government responded with a state of emergency and a nationwide curfew, and immediately launched mass arrests, targeting not only those involved but anyone suspected of anti-government sentiment.
Several factors could be attributed to the chaos in Freetown. Firstly, there is growing hardship and hunger ravaging the Country due to unemployment and poverty, Ibrahim Jalloh who is popularly known for his political activism was implicated in the incident.
Many People believed it was a wise decision for Ibrahim Jalloh and his wife Rebecca Baker of Janboria Street, Calaba Town to have fled the Country noting that most of those who risked staying were rounded up and have since been incarceration and they still wanted by the Sierra Leone police.
Whiles speaking with the media, one of the son of the soil in Calaba town by the name of Abdul Kargbo noted that Ibrahim Jalloh and his wife Rebecca Baker sent out audio messages and videos on several whatsapp groups calling for the dethroning of the President a day before the incident in November.
Police reacted swiftly by releasing warrant of arrest with a ransom of $20,000 for the person that will discovered both Ibrahim Jalloh and his wife, for spreading false information, Cyber terrorism crime and mutiny.
The issue of Ibrahim Jalloh was just the last straw to breaks the camel’s back as the prevailing atmosphere in the Country was acrimonious as the Military was trying to put things under control and searching for those that were involved.
Nephew of Ibrahim Jalloh, who preferred his name not to be mentioned, said it went to a time when the hunt for their Nephew was intensified and that if they set eyes on him they might kill him, and that search still continue.
Sources close to Ibrahim and his wife indicates that they are still struggling in exile and Ibrahim’s mother is currently missing. ‘How can they or the others risk coming home at this particular time when they are still wanted by the State and while the matter is still in the High Court of the Country’ – an elderly man opined.
As of today, Ibrahim’s Nephew confirmed that police continue to search for them, harassing their family and warning that they would face “state justice” if caught.
