By Saio Marrah
The Commander Joint Force (CJF) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Major -General Dauda Fred Alpha, has called on the people of the Bramaia Chiefdom, a community that shares frontiers with Guinea, to partner with the military in protecting the various porous border areas in their community.
The CJF made this call at the Kukuna Court Barray where he addressed the community whilst visiting troops stationed in the area.He said they rely on the community people in providing intelligence to the military on activities happening along the various border crossing points since the military cannot be everywhere at the same time.
He also used the opportunity to warn especially youths against the intake of drugs. Drugs used for medical purpose is acceptable, he stated, stressing that substances that make someone to become “useless in society “should be avoided.
In the same vein, he narrated a story of a boy who killed his step mother after taking “Kush”, a new drug that is now widely abused in the society.
The officer also stated that as the country is closely approaching the general elections, and urged youths to contribute to a peaceful process and be law- abiding at all time.
Paramount Chief of Bramaia Chiefdom, Kandeh Momoh Samba Sulaiman De-Phoreh II, said the military civilian relationship is stronger than ever.
He said security is paramount in any country, and called on the people to continue supporting the military personnel deployed in the chiefdom.
He informed his people of how the army commander had once helped him attain a position as head teacher of a particular primary school in Kambia before he became paramount chief.
The chief also used the opportunity to point out how his chiefdom is way backward in terms of development.
Gen. Alpha in addressing soldiers of One Platoon in the11th Battalion, deployed at the Sierra Leone- Guinea border close to Kukuna town, Bramaia Chiefdom, warned them not to indulge in substance abuse and mentioned the recent dismissal of a few caught in the act.
The Commanding Officer of One Platoon Ops of the 11th Battalion in Kukuna, Lieutenant Mohamed Alie Turay, described the visit by the CJF as amazing and which will motivate the soldiers to work harder along the border areas.
Gen. Alpha later informed journalists that the purpose of visiting troops in various part of the country annually especially around the Christmas season was to foster unity, friendship and camaraderie within the RSLAF.
He said interacting with the service men and women will make them highly motivated in executing their duties.
Certificates and cash were later presented to deserving soldiers in recognition of outstanding performances in their deployment areas.
Copyright © Politico Online (09/01/23)
