Sierra Leoneans have blasted the Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Sovula for saying that one of the reasons why they shaved off the dreadlocks of popular rapper, Boss LA was because he wanted to use them to commit suicide while in detention.

IG Sovula made this statement in an interview with the BBC in response to allegations of inhuman treatments they rapper faced in detention. It was alleged that he was injected with an unknown substance, while his dreadlocks were cut off.

The musician who was arrested on Sunday, June 12, 2022, for allegations of robbery and was taken in a detention center in Sierra Leone called Benghazi.

Several human rights organisations and state institutions have issued statements condemning the action by the police to forcefully cut off the dreadlocks of the rapper, citing that the treatment of the artist by the police is inhuman and it’s against his human rights.

In response, the Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Sovula told the BBC that his officers have done nothing wrong.

He confirmed that Boss LA’s hair was cut off as part of their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and for the hygiene of the detention facility.

“He thought he was being arrested unjustly, so he was using his hair to strangle himself,” IGP Sovula said, adding that, “He had wanted to get himself killed.”

The Inspector General of Police was reminded of the press release issued by the Sierra Leone Police, where they admitted to have shaved off Boss LA’s dreadlocks based on their SOP, which states that all male suspects held in Benghazi will have their hair shave off.

“The press release was talking about SOP, and some other reasons. This is the truth and nothing but the truth,” IG Sovula concluded.

The Lawyer of Boss LA, Madieu Sesay debunked IGP Sovula claim of the rapper Intended to commit suicide using his dreadlocks.

“Not all. I have never received that instruction from him. That dread is his brand,” Sesay told the BBC.

Citizens also reacted to the claims made by the Inspector General of Police.

“It’s usually said the cover up is worse than the crime, this rings true with the LAJ dreadlocks shavingate. IGP has just incredulously said on BBC that the star tried to strangle himself with his dreadlocks, hence the reason for shaving them off,” Ady Macaulay stated on Twitter.

“This is a bare-face lie we are being told. So, is the IGP saying that even those with low hair cut who had their hair shaved off at the same time were also trying to strangle themselves with half an inch long hair? We will not be sold a freezer at the North Pole,” he added.

“IG Sovula’s damage control statement on BBC shows his incompetence. We can do better SierraLeone,” Yulisa Ahmadu noted.

“IG Sovula is a disgrace to the Sierra Leone Police Force. It’s now I am finally convinced that he got a dominion PHD,” Rachel Bangura Davis posted.

‘Was IG Sovula under gun point when speaking to the BBC? He was breathing so heavily, it seemed he was afraid of his own big lies,” Karim Bah stated.

“IG Ambrose Sovula on BBC “yes his dreadlocks was cut off because he thought he was arrested unlawfully; so, he was trying to use his dreadlocks to kill himself ” So our IG can lie and be manipulative like dis bane? So what about his brother and his close friends who had no dreadlocks but dem hair shaved off?” Chernor Bounanye Barrie asked.

“Every single statement from the Police is a disaster. Imagine IG Sovula telling BBC News Africa that King Boss La wanted to commit suicide that’s why they shaved his dreadlocks. They keep contradicting themselves, from AYV to Press Release, now to the BBC. Sad country,” Vertex Media posted.

“IG Ambrose Sovula doesn’t have one shame. He is incompetent. He should resign immediately. What a shame!” Sierra Leone Herald Blog stated.

“After listening to our IG on BBC, how can I expect much from our Salone Police Force? Honestly, is that the best we can do? Really? That man was capping and wrapping himself up with every word. Shameful. Shameless,” Kamanda Koroma posted.