A devastating incident at the National Pentecostal School on Fort Street has plunged the Mend Street/Circular Road community into mourning and sparked widespread unrest.

Two children have been found dead within the school compound, and a third was found severely injured, while another child was found safe.

The tragedy occured on March 18th when three children, including a three-year-old boy named Yusuf, went missing during school hours. Their backpacks were discovered on the school premises, prompting an immediate community-wide search.

The search ended in horror when two of the missing children, including Yusuf, were discovered deceased inside a vehicle within the school compound. A third child, a young girl, was found gravely injured, with witnesses reporting signs of severe abuse, including sexual violence. A fourth child was found safe. In a particularly gruesome detail, Yusuf’s arms had been amputated, according to witnesses.

The discovery ignited intense grief and anger among parents and community members. Distraught individuals attempted to breach the school grounds, leading to vandalism of the school and a nearby church.

The Sierra Leone Police intervened to restore order, deploying tear gas to disperse the increasingly agitated crowd.