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In the aftermath of the November 26, 2023 attempted coup in Sierra Leone, a growing number of citizens are raising concerns about the authenticity of a surveillance image released by the government.
Several individuals have accused the government of manipulating photographs of suspects linked to the coup, further deepening skepticism surrounding the ongoing investigation.
This controversy comes after the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, on Wednesday, released a surveillance image dated November 26, 2023, capturing Amadu Koita, a former security aide to Former President Ernest Bai Koroma alongside a dismissed Superintendent Kabba Dumbuya during the November 26 attack on Pademba Road Prison. The image, bearing a timestamp of 08:29:07, aimed to identify and apprehend the suspects involved.
Amadu Koita was arrested on Tuesday in connection to the attempted coup while Kabba Dumbuya is reported to be on the run. “Help the Police capture Dumbuya & any of the other fugitives on 119/900.”, the Ministry of Education wrote urging citizens to promptly report any leads or information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects.
However, doubts have been cast on the credibility of the surveillance photo following revelations by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Peter K Lavahun. During a public statement, Lavahun acknowledged the absence of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance at the military ammunition stores in Freetown, adding to the skepticism among Sierra Leoneans.
In addition, some Sierra Leoneans have pointed out visible inconsistencies, such as variations in Amadu Koita’s haircut between the arrest photo and the surveillance image. Some have questioned the validity of the government’s claim, given the absence of CCTV cameras in critical locations and the unique qualities of the image provided.
In response to the growing skepticism, some citizens are demanding transparency from the government. They are calling for the release of raw video footage from the scene to authenticate the alleged involvement of the suspects in the attempted coup and prison breaks.
“Thanks for the pic👍 but please whona produce the CCTV video footage, we know say CCTV na video e dae produce but why na Screenshot photo we see.” Victor Abou Koroma wrote on Facebook.
“There are no CCTV cameras in the armory or the jail facility, according to the army chief PK Lavahun clearly stated that during a widely observed news conference. And CCTVS does not produce brightly colored pictures like that, and what angle in pademba Road was that taken?”, another Sierra Leonean, Alimamy Issa asked on Twitter (X).
“But his haircut (of Koita) in this pic seems different from the one where he was at the police station And who are those OSD officers we never seen any evidence of OSD officers during the incident”, Alie Islam wrote.
In response to the ongoing controversy, Michael Berewa, the State House Director of Communications, offered his perspective on the matter. Despite acknowledging his lack of expertise in imaging forensics, Berewa pointed to specific details in the CCTV footage. He emphasized, “I don’t have a background in imaging forensics, but the CCTV FOOTAGE on the right clearly shows he is wearing a black do-rag on his head…(zoom in and see).”
Berewa strongly criticized the allegations of photoshopping, characterizing them as a “total disregard and disrespect to the families of those 17 fallen soldiers.” He urged for a fair examination of the evidence, emphasizing the importance of allowing the available information to guide the ongoing investigation.
As the controversy deepens, Sierra Leoneans are eager for clarity and transparency in the investigation, urging the government to address the concerns raised by the public regarding the presented surveillance image.
Indeed a group of anti-government, blood-thristy Sierra Leoneans have no respect and empathy for the people who lost their lives during the putschists dastardly deeds. It is clear that their strategy is to try as much as possible to cast doubt in the minds of the public, because they are scared of being exposed. That’s why day in, day out we hear about fake coup, fake photos, fake this, fake that. The law will take its course and rest assure the authorities will get to the bottom of what happened, rain or shine.
God please help us in this nation
The photo of Koita at the Pademba road, he’s wearing a black hat on his head and at the CID, he’s seen with an abnormal haircut. Please give the authority chance to do their work. Most of you critiquing government efforts on this November 26 events are the very one supported the event of failed coup.
This photo is not authentic. This is the work of DEEP FAKE software which can manipulate image or video and put anyone at any crime scene.
Mr Amadu koita was wearing black hat on the operation site and in CID the hair was barb at the center of his head
People say they believe and trust human intelligence than technology intelligence.
Koni wuna mak Salone leh e swit fɔ wi boooo.
God wise pas everi tin.
Human intelligence is more preferable than technology intelligence?
If there is way to provide CCTV camera then we waiting for that citizens want understanding on that Mr government
These sycohpants can as well argue that Koita is in London and the one in police net is fake. Oh Salone,how I wish it was one of them in hot waters by now!
They will keep putting up irrelevant distractions until dooms day. But Inshallah, time go fit clock.
Oh my God. The almighty living God, my heart is boiling within me. How can this premature critics continue blaming the government of setup to destroy sierra leone and kill his own people for politics. Oh God, l am also a citizen of sierra leone, and I have the right to pray for my nation. For peace and love. Oh God, today as I speak listen to my prayers: You protected King David from his enemies. By killing them all. You protected Esther, Mordecai, the rest of the Jews from Haman. You caused to killed all those enemies from your chosen ones. You protected Hezekiah from the Assyrians 185,000 war armies, you killed them all. Etc, etc etc. There some elements right now in sierra leone that doesn’t need to exist anymore in sierra leone. They caused chaoses, mayharms and destructions in our nation, we the chosen ones that loves peace and our people.
“Father as the above mentions have laid out before you, do to those states enemies accordingly, send fire from heaven upon them, set a wicked man over them, let them turn onto themselves and destroy themselves and their generations to come. Enough is enough now. Sierra leone is my country and I have the right to pray for my country”. God, there are so many of them that have mocked you. They don’t pray to you in order to solve problems, instead chosen violences. Father send a spirit of death into their camps as you did it to the above mentions. Amen. God bless us, our president and our nation. Amen.
Sorry, I’m writing again. Mr. Berewa, you are the only intelligent and educated sierra leonean in that arguements above paragraphs. After I read everything, I went back and zoom 3x, koita is wearing some black covering on his head ooooooh, my people. Watching carefully, you can see his hair bump up circle under the black covering, little bit bumps above his head, covering way forward his forehead. Can’t you see? Shame on you idiots. Same haircut over his right ears as he faces you going towards back of his head. All of you denying of picture liken of koita, are illiterate idiots. You don’t want peace in sierra leone. May God devastate you and all you families. You don’t care about those who have died for nothing. They left family behind, wives, children and love ones. You don’t care. May God almighty punish all of you anywhere around the world. So shall it be. I am disappointed about those idiots satanic sierra leoneans. May God bless us, our president, and our nation. Amen.