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Panic engulfed the communities of Mende Junction, Kamayama, and Pentagon in Western Freetown as violent clashes broke out during a police raid between today and yesterday.
Reports indicate the use of live ammunition and tear gas, with one person confirmed seriously injured amidst the chaos. The violence stems from an escalating land dispute involving claims to 130 hectares of land in Pentagon. Residents have expressed anger and fear as homes have been destroyed and shots fired.
Schools in the area have been forced to close as parents rushed to retrieve their children from the danger zone. According to local sources, the unrest centers on Derick Thoronka, who has laid claim to 38 acres of land in Pentagon, asserting that his late father was the rightful owner of the entire area.
Thoronka’s claims have stirred significant tension, leading to widespread violence and instability in the region.
Thoronka, who surfaced after more than 30 years, is armed with a purported court order, stating that the land belongs to him by statutory declaration. However, residents, many of whom possess legal documents for their properties, have challenged his claim. They question why Thoronka had been absent for decades and how he could own the land without ever establishing a presence in the community.
“This community is filled with homes worth millions of dollars, and yet Derrick claims ownership without a single structure here,” said one angry resident, questioning the validity of Thoronka’s claim. “We have repeatedly asked for a copy of this court order, but no one has seen it.”
Despite the ongoing court case, Thoronka has allegedly enlisted the support of military, police forces, and local thugs to forcibly seize properties, leading to the current escalation of violence. Many residents feel helpless as their homes are vandalized and their safety is threatened.
The Pentagon community is now calling for urgent government intervention, with appeals made directly to President Julius Maada Bio, First Lady Fatima Bio, and Chief Minister David Sengeh to address the injustice and restore order.
Tensions flared further in Kamayama this afternoon when gunfire erupted. According to eyewitness accounts, an individual uninvolved in the clash was shot but remains alive. Police reportedly intervened to aid Thoronka in his land seizure efforts, sparking the violence that has now engulfed the region.
Authorities are working to contain the situation, but residents fear the violence may escalate further. “We are praying this does not get out of hand,” a local activist said. “We’re calling on civil society organizations, bloggers, and social media influencers to stand with us in this fight for justice.”
With thousands of people affected, the situation remains volatile, and the Pentagon community is bracing for more unrest as the court’s ruling on Thoronka’s land claim remains pending. The future of the residents, many of whom face losing their homes, hangs in the balance as they seek protection from what they see as an abuse of power and influence by Thoronka.
The situation underscores the growing divide between the powerful and the poor in Sierra Leone, as ordinary citizens find themselves caught in the crossfire of land disputes and political maneuvering.
This is some of the reason that brings war, in a country government should look into this matter, how can you claim a land that has been for so long without showing up, not until the place has been developed then you want to disturb other people all because you have money and influence.
Just so you should know that you have also created unrest for me coz people who know me have been reaching to ensure my safety, just because you mentioned Kamayama instead of Pentagon which is the victim community. Ensure clarity when reporting issues please 🙏
and the police are telling the community people’s that the land belong to a strong SLPP member meaning they are using their political influence how can a single man own 38 acre’s of land are you the government leaders of our beloved sierraleone please look into this matter poor people are outside crying and homeless
Leaders of our beloved sierraleone please look into this matter poor people are outside crying and homeless
This is the same thing they are doing at Goderich Metchem they are just claiming lands disturbing the peace of the residents all in the name of power
But God will disgrace them one by one.
This was a poorly written and biased article. Poor people with multi million dollar structures? Really? First seek a copy of the court order for review before making certain statements.
Hmm,
Another day in the republic.
Concerning this Thoronka guy, where was he he when people were developing the land? please papa government don’t allow this to happen to your citizens it’s a badname to your government.pls arrest the man.