The Sierra Leone Police has in a press release debunks claims made by former Flag bearer of the All People’s Congress party (APC) Dr. Samura Kamara that he was blocked from entering constituency 056

Read full details of the press release below

The attention of the Sierra Leone Police has been drawn to a tweet published by Dr. Samura Kamara, alleging thus: I am again being blocked from exiting Constituency 056. The sitting government has mobilized military and prison vehicles and threatened to shoot and sight and arrest every APC supporter [sic]. In response thereof, the management of the Sierra Leone Police would like

to state the following facts:

The Honourable Vice President was on a working visit to the Ferengbenya mines situated in Bumbuna, Samaia Bendugu Chiefdom from June 9-11, 2022;

On the day (11/06/22) he was exiting the chiefdom, the Regional Police Commander of the North-East region was informed that Dr. Samura Kamara was en route to Samaia Bendugu in Constituency 056, to participate in an All People’s Congress (APC) campaign rally, slated for that day;

Considering the very challenging terrain from Bumbuna to Samaia Bendugu and envisaging that anything could trigger a public disorder situation from any of the groups, either along the road or anywhere they could meet, the Regional Police Commander contacted the Tonkolili District Council Chairperson who incidentally doubles as the former District Chairperson of the APC Madam Yabome and prevailed on her to persuade Dr. Kamara to defer his visit to the chiefdom;

This action of the Regional Commander was predicated on two things: a) Dr. Samura Kamara, being a senior citizen, may likely travel with an entourage he might not have full control over their actions b) Dr. Kamara himself was not among the automatically qualified members (indigenes of Tonkolili District and national officials of their Party) that could freely enter Constituency 056 and campaign therein, as per the arrangement of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC); excluding people outside the district to engage in campaigns for any of the parties, c) verify and ascertain intelligence of weapons transported to Samaia Bendugu;

Sadly though, Madam Yabome misconstrued the whole situation and instead threatened and insisted that Dr. Samura Kamara would unfailingly head for Samaia Bendugu, on that day;

Not very long, a large group of supposedly APC supporters including Dr. Samura Kamara arrived at the Police checkpoint, wanting to pass through and proceed to Samaia Bendugu;

The Regional Commander then decided to engage Dr. Samura Kamara and explained to him as to why it was not advisable for his followers to proceed to Samaia Bendugu at that material time, which was: a) for his safety and security b) to prevent a public disorder, given that the Vice President was on his way out of the chiefdom they were heading to;

VII. Whilst discussions were ongoing, Honourable Mohamed Bangura, who was part of the group of APC supporters, instructed his driver to ride over the Regional Commander if he dared stopped them from bulldozing their way to Samaia Bendugu;

It would interest the public to know that the Regional Commander was only saved by a stroke of luck, otherwise, he would have been a dead man by now, as the driver obeyed Hon. Bangura’s instruction and drove the vehicle directly towards him and he had to sustain injuries;

At this point, they all bulldozed their way through the checkpoint and two other checkpoints and drove to Samaia Bendugu. Whilst returning, it was the same bulldozing tactic they applied as they were stopped to search their vehicles;

All the actions of Dr. Samura Kamara and APC supporters on that day and place were aimed at provoking the Police to act otherwise.