A team of Police Officers from the Mile 91 Division headed by the Operations Commander Superintendent John S. Mansaray has been deployed in Mabureh, a village in Yoni Mamaila Chiefdom where tension flared a week ago over a land dispute that led to the brutal killing of a fifteen years old boy and the burning of twenty-eight houses.

The area is in Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone.

Mabureh village and Mananie, another nearby village are at loggerheads over a piece of land. On the 7th of May 2024, a tragic incident of shooting allegedly by a group of men identified and known to be members of the Mabureh community led to the death of 15-year-old Alhaji Kamara, a class six pupil who sat to the just concluded National Primary School Examinations.

It’s still unclear who burnt down the houses because the Mananie side has denied any wrongdoing. The Mabureh residents where the houses were burnt down are not available for comment.

To restore peace and calm in the area, the Local Unit Commander of the Mile 91 Division, Chief Superintendent of Police Michael JK Lagga has deployed police officers in the area. CSP Lagga said the decision is to ensure the residents and their properties are protected and secured. Meanwhile, some arrests have been made, though key suspects linked to the killing are still on the run.

During a visit to the disputed area by this reporter, armed police officers were seen in the area. According to the Operations Commander, they have been deployed in the area since the incident occurred.

Superintendent Mansaray said they’re ensuring that the environment is peaceful and nothing of such happens again.

In Mabureh village, residents fled to neighboring villages and chiefdoms immediately after the incident. In Mananie, the Youth Leader, Hassan Kanu said panic has gripped the entire community.

The Sierra Leone Police is investigating the matter. The family of the slain 15-year-old boy is calling for justice.