Officers from the Operational Support Division (OSD) of the Sierra Leone Police have reportedly fired teargas at Mohamed Omodu “Jagaban” Kamara and his supporters during a gathering in Wellington on Sunday, January 11, 2025.

According to reports, Jagaban and his supporters had assembled at the former NATCO Factory at the Wellington Industrial Estate for a charity ceremony linked to his transport business. The event was part of activities marking the unveiling of the facility as the Jagaban bus depot, ahead of the arrival of his bus fleet from China.

Eyewitnesses said police officers arrived at the venue on Sunday morning and disrupted the ceremony, leading to a confrontation that culminated in the use of teargas. The incident reportedly caused panic among attendees and forced the gathering to disperse.

Supporters of the APC presidential flagbearer aspirant have condemned the police action, describing it as “systemic intimidation” targeted at opposition politicians. They accused the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) administration, led by President Julius Maada Bio, of using state security forces to harass and suppress political opponents.

Related News

The Wellington incident is not the first involving Jagaban and the OSD. Supporters pointed to a similar episode at his Mile 38 factory, where police officers were also reported to have disrupted a related ceremony.

In a statement shared on a Facebook page supporting Jagaban, the incident was described as further evidence of growing intolerance toward opposition activities. “This government has once again proven itself petty, authoritarian and hostile to enterprise and religion,” the statement read.

The latest confrontation has renewed concerns among opposition figures and civil society groups over the conduct of security forces, with critics warning that repeated police interventions at opposition-related events risk creating an atmosphere of political intimidation and undermining democratic participation in the country.