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A recent police operation at Lifeline Nehemiah Projects, which saw two beneficiaries and a staff member detained, has raised serious concerns among staff, students, and the wider community.
Administrative Director Philemon Kamara has described the incident as an abuse of state power that disrupted schooling and threatened the operations of the long-standing educational and social institution.
In an interview earlier today, Kamara recounted the chaotic morning events at the Kissy Barracks Law Enforcement Unit (LUC):
“I went to the LUC to negotiate the release of the students, who are beneficiaries of Lifeline.
Mr. Samura, the officer leading the investigation, refused to release them, claiming they threatened people who came to put materials on the school land. While we were still there, the LUC and his team arrived, seized building materials from a structure not even part of the disputed land, and arrested one of our staff, Joe Amara, simply because he asked questions. They chose to use force. Now a total of three people are being held.”
Kamara accused authorities of ignoring due process, noting that the matter is already before the courts.
“We feel bullied. There is a court injunction that says nobody should interfere with the land until the case is concluded. Yet the police came, disrupted the school, and carried away materials.
Today, over 500 pupils could not attend classes, including youths learning plumbing and other trades. We have all the legal documents for the land. Instead of verifying our papers at the Ministry of Lands, they chose to use force. We plead with the president to intervene.”
The dispute reportedly began last month when businessman Tunde McCarthy (TUMAC) attempted to construct on the Lifeline field, which the organization has designated for education and community development. Lifeline secured a court injunction to halt the activity. Kamara further alleged that the Ministry of Social Welfare expressed interest in the land for a facility to support persons with disabilities, without consulting the organization.
“We have been law-abiding since 1996. We deliberately stopped students from working on the land to avoid violence. But now, with this harassment, it feels like an attack not just on Lifeline, but on the vulnerable children and staff who depend on us,” Kamara said.
For over 20 years, Reverend Prince Tommy Williams and Lifeline Nehemiah Projects have provided rehabilitation for street children, supported recovering addicts, and offered skills training and education. Community members and human rights groups have condemned the arrests, warning that they risk undermining one of Sierra Leone’s most impactful charitable organizations.
The two beneficiaries and staff member Joe Amara remain in detention at Kissy Barracks Police Post, with no formal charges disclosed. Kamara appealed to the president, describing the organization’s work as aligned with national priorities in education and human capital development.
“We have been working towards education and human capital development, training youth in trades such as plumbing, and providing nursery, primary, and junior secondary education for children,” he said.
