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four police officers from Sierra Leone’s Southern Province are facing dismissal after being implicated in a series of robbery incidents.
The officers, identified as Constables Saidu Sonny Lahai, Rodney Massaquoi (alias Junior), Richard Yambasu (alias Alphantic), and Patrick Rogers (alias Bgor Borbor), have been accused of collaborating with criminals in several robberies in Taiama, Rutile, and Bo City.
The decision follows an internal investigation conducted by the Complaints, Discipline, and Internal Investigations Department (CDIID) and a subsequent tribunal held at the Regional Police Headquarters in Bo City on September 4th and 5th, 2024.
The tribunal, led by Inspector Ibrahim Bah, found enough evidence to recommend their dismissal, pending final approval from Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu.
The officers, three of whom served in the Operational Support Division (OSD) and one in General Duty, allegedly exploited their positions within the police force to assist criminal elements in carrying out these robberies.
Their activities impacted the Imperi and Kakua Chiefdoms in the Moyamba and Bo Judicial Districts between July and August 2024.
According to reports, their uniforms and police-issued equipment were confiscated as the officers await the final decision on their dismissal.
One of the most severe allegations involves Constable Richard Yambasu, who is accused of providing his police-issued rifle to criminals, enabling them to execute violent robberies.
Constable Rodney Massaquoi was also implicated in a robbery targeting a physically challenged man, Pa Senesie Kemokai, in Fairo, Pujehun District.
The group, led by Massaquoi, allegedly stole two sheep and $900 from the victim during the attack.
Additionally, Constable Saidu Sonny Lahai is believed to have knowledge of the murder of Hassan Lamin, a former bike mechanic who was killed in Bo City in July 2024.
Constable Patrick Rogers, a driver for the Bo East Division, was reportedly in constant communication with robbers during their criminal operations, further deepening his involvement in the illicit activities.
Inspector Gbessay Kolleh Kamara, the Admin Officer of CDIID, presented the findings of the investigation, while Superintendent Bangura, the CDIID Regional Coordinator for the Southern Region, read the officers’ antecedents during the tribunal.
The hearings, open to both the press and the public, emphasized the Sierra Leone Police Force’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
As the officers now face further criminal investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Regional Headquarters in Bo, the case serves as a stark reminder of the police force’s ongoing efforts to maintain discipline and uphold public trust.
The Inspector General’s final decision will set a precedent for how such cases of misconduct are handled moving forward, reinforcing the message that any breach of duty within the Sierra Leone Police Force will be met with swift and decisive action.
Not only dismissal they should brought to book for their evils act. They even killed a mechanic in bo what a pity. The officers that should be protecting us they are the ones that robbed us. Please Mr. IGP knows the type of human being you recruit in the police force. Some of this guys are criminals.
SLP need to centralised their weapons. Presently there is no proper records and handling of their weapons. How can a police keep his/her weapon at his resident for over a year. The weapons should in a centralized store and a daily issue done every day. With this, they will know who is in possession of weapon, where the weapon is going and how it is being use.