Residents of Macdonald-Kotopema Village in Waterloo, Western Area Rural District, have raised alarm over what they describe as a tense security situation in their community following the reported deployment of armed military personnel and restrictions on movement.

According to a report reaching Sierraloaded, residents say they are currently living in fear due to the presence of armed military officers in the area. Community members claim that movement within and around the village has been restricted since the security personnel arrived.

The community is said to be in an uproar over the sudden deployment, with several landowners alleging that their ancestral land is being taken away.

Residents further claimed that the situation became more worrying after the Ministry of Lands reportedly declared the hillside area as government property, while the seaside portion of the land was identified as privately owned.

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This development, according to the report reaching Sierraloaded, has raised serious concerns among community members about the future of their land.

Stakeholders and youths in the community are said to be demanding answers regarding the presence of the military personnel and the status of the land. However, residents claim that government officials have not yet provided clear clarification on the matter.

The people of Macdonald-Kotopema Village are now calling on the government to intervene, noting that the situation has affected their livelihoods and created uncertainty within the community. They also expressed concerns over what they described as a lack of transparency surrounding the issue.

Residents are appealing to relevant government ministries, including the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to take urgent action to address the situation and help restore calm in the community.

According to the report reaching Sierraloaded, the situation underscores the need for clear communication between government authorities and citizens, as residents continue to seek immediate clarification regarding the military presence and the reported movement restrictions.

Efforts to get a response from the Director of Lands and Survey, Mr. Tamba Dauda, were unsuccessful as attempts to contact him for comment proved futile at the time of publication.