After thorough investigations, it has been confirmed that the recent dismissal of 70 military personnel from the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) cuts across tribes and regions.

Investigation into their dismissal was initiated following claims by some opposition party stalwarts that the president’s action primarily targets specific people belonging to their ethnic group and political parties.

The investigations conducted by Spy Newspaper uncovers that the accusation was baseless and untrue since the dismissal affects personnel from numerous ethnic groups including tribesmen of the president and the governing SLPP party.

To further demonstrate that the major shakeup in the military was devoid of tribe and region, President Bio replaced his tribesman serving as Chief of Defence Staff with an officer from a different ethnic group.

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Spy further unearthed that a huge number of officers ranging from General, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Captain to Lieutenant who are tribesmen of the President and the ruling SLPP government which 18 predominantly linked to the same ethnic group were dismissed.

Investigations have also revealed that approximately 30 personnel linked to the governing ethnic group have been dismissed. Among them was the Naval Chief of Staff, Commodore P.J Juana, a senior tribesman of the president.

53 military personnel were retired on grounds of Performance and Age. However, each of them would be given a lump sum equivalent to one-year salary in addition to other benefits. They would be placed under reservist and required to serve again during emergencies.

17 military officers were slammed with Marching Orders for prolonged Absence without Leave (AWOL) as well as for Misconduct. The Personnel Chief also said that the officers in the twin category (AWOL and MISCONDUCT) would NOT be entitled to such benefits given to others and their names would not be placed under reservist.