Parliament Tightens Security After Speaker Reports Intruder Allegedly Entered With ‘Missile

Security has been tightened at Sierra Leone’s Parliament after Speaker Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas reported an alleged security breach as lawmakers prepare to vote on proposed constitutional amendments.

Speaking during the ongoing constitutional amendment debate, the Speaker revealed that an intruder was allegedly intercepted while attempting to enter the Parliamentary Chamber with an object he described as a “missile.”

The revelation prompted immediate security measures inside the Chamber, with the Speaker ordering restrictions on the number of political party representatives allowed to remain during the proceedings.

Under the new arrangement, five representatives each from the All People’s Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) will be permitted to remain in the Chamber, while one representative from each of the other political parties will be allowed to stay.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps have been permitted to remain inside the Chamber, while former Members of Parliament have been directed to sit in the gallery.

Sergeants-at-Arms have also been deployed at the Chamber doors as lawmakers prepare to commence voting on the proposed constitutional amendments.

The heightened security comes as Parliament enters a crucial phase of the constitutional amendment process, with lawmakers expected to vote on the proposed reforms.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged intrusion, including the identity of the individual involved and the nature of the object reportedly found, have not been independently established.

Parliament remains under heightened security as proceedings continue.