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Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu visited the family of the late Sergeant David French over the weekend, offering condolences as authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.
French, an officer with the Operational Support Division (OSD), was killed on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Madonkeh, on the outskirts of Waterloo. He had been deployed to provide security at a parcel of land placed under a court injunction when he was allegedly attacked by suspected gang members, according to information attributed to the OSD Media Team.
Preliminary reports indicate French was overpowered and disarmed before being attacked with machetes, and he reportedly died from injuries sustained during the assault. A Strike Force team from OSD Headquarters, led by Commissioner of Police Alhaji Ibrahim Mohamed Sama, was subsequently deployed to the area alongside OSD personnel from the Waterloo Police Division.
Two serving personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces were arrested during the security operation, with one allegedly found in possession of the deceased officer’s loaded AK-47 rifle. More than 20 other individuals were also detained, and all suspects remain in police custody. Investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding French’s death and determine the roles allegedly played by those detained, while police are reportedly searching for additional suspects.
The IGP’s condolence visit underscores the Sierra Leone Police’s focus on supporting the families of fallen officers. Sellu has previously led tributes to officers killed in the line of duty, describing such losses as a source of deep sorrow.
The incident has raised concerns over attacks on security personnel, the illegal possession of state-issued weapons and violence surrounding disputed land in the Waterloo area. Authorities are expected to provide further information after completing preliminary investigations, including the precise number of suspects detained and the offences they may face. No court has determined the guilt of any of the people arrested, and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The killing has renewed calls for stronger cooperation between the Sierra Leone Police and the RSLAF to ensure a transparent investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
