The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), in Kenema District, Eastern Province of Sierra Leone has reunited Mamie Sei with her people at Geima Dama Chiefdom, after she had been away for quite a while.
The SLP made this disclosure in a press statement dated Friday, 10th February, 2023.
Mamie Sei, an indigene of the Geima Dama Community, who, according to sources, was reported ‘missing’ or ‘absconded’ from the community for the fear of not being used for ‘ritual purposes’.
Release from Sierra Leone Police, Eastern Region, Media Unit said that the attention of the police in the Chiefdom, in relation to an alleged ‘missing individual’, an indigene of the Dama Community by no less a person, but the Chiefdom Chief, Chief Vandi, of the Geima Dama Chiefdom in Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone.
This unfortunate incident, according to a release from SLP East, Media Unit, dated 26 January, 2023, days after the victim (Mamie) was nowhere to be seen.
The report stated that Mamie Sei, who was residing at Giema Dama, got missing on 25th January 2023; since then, the Community and its people commenced a robust search so as to be able to locate the Mamie, who, from sources, took to her heels when she thought that her life was threatened. Unfortunately, the sacrifices and energy put in the said search to locate Mamie, proved futile.
The Giema people later found out that Mamie was not missing, she absconded from her home contrary to their initial thought. This information angered the community because it was rumoured by its neighbours that she was offered by them people for ritual purposes.
This negative news prompted the Regional Commander-East to go for a diplomatic approach to resolving the dispute. According to Mr. Kamara, nobody has the right to stop people from dwelling in their communities.
Mr Kamara ordered the Regional Crime Officer East, Detective Deputy Superintendent of Police, Francis Laurence Dauda and his personnel coupled with the Operations team of Kenema Division, and the Community Relations Department, on Friday 10th February 2023, to visit Giema town, and reintegrated the absconded woman with her community.
The Regional Crime Officer educated the residents of Giema on human rights and its abuses. He informed them about the negative effects of misinformation and disinformation. He also encouraged them to begin reporting such matters to the Police, rather than taking the law into their hands.
The Town Chief Vandy in his statement expressed thanks and appreciation to the Regional Commander, through the Crime Officer for such a tremendous move. He described the action as one in the true mood of citizen Policing, which seeks to ensure that people live in peace.
He condemned the act of Mamie Sei and indicated that Giema has already been embarrassed. “people were going with the notion that the missing Mamie, has nexus with rituals/cannibalism.” chief Vandi expressed. He stated that such acts could stop development activities from reaching his community.
He advised his people to wholeheartedly accept Mamie Sei as a daughter of the soil and put all indifferencies aside. He added that he has forgiven Mamie and called upon all and sundry to do the same.
Relatives and the husband of Mamie Sei thanked the police and promised that the police would be remembered in good faith throughout their generation.
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