By Alpha Abu
The National Security Coordinator (NSCoord) and head of the Office of National Security (ONS), Abdulai Caulker has condemned the proliferation of hate messages on social media and vowed tougher actions against perpetrators.
Speaking at a press conference that was attended by Military and Police chiefs, civil society, and representatives of some political parties, Caulker said the toxic messages have the tendency to create problems in the country.
He mentioned all the violent clashes that have taken place over the last five years- Makeni over the relocation of a generator, Lunsar over allegations against the Paramount Chief, the Mile 91 lawful marijuana farm raid, Tombo on safety health fishing during COVID, the Pademba Road Prisoners attempted to break, August 10 mayhem, and the most recent shooting- to- death of a police commander Mathew Gbanya in Makeni, all of which he claimed were fanned by social media trolls. He blamed all of these on the likes of one “Adebayor” and those he tagged as “their clandestine political godfathers”.
He said the security forces will go after the perpetrators of hate messages and their sponsors, saying they are not jittery, nor intimidated by any threat. He said they will not renege on maintaining law and order and warned Sierra Leoneans to stay away from violence, follow due process, and not be influenced by anyone to cause unrest.
The security chief criticised those whom he said will even consider it a viable option if it has to be sinking Sierra Leone and destroying all of its population just to gain political power.
“Any person or a group of persons who believe that for their own greed and selfishness, they can make Sierra Leone unstable and ungovernable, are big liars. The security sector will use all in its power to strongly resist and repel them’’, he said.
He said the security sector will not shy away from its constitutional mandate of ensuring citizens' lives and properties are protected and that the country remains stable.
On the June 24 General Elections, Caulker said “We invite all political party leaders, moral guarantors, traditional and religious leaders ...media houses, women’s forum, peace networks, teachers, parents, guardians, youth groups, civil society organisations and members of the international community to underscore the need for nonviolence elections and support efforts geared towards making Sierra Leone stable and peaceful’’.
He assured of the security sector’s readiness to ensure the forthcoming elections “are conducted devoid of violence and intimidation”, and that the joint military/police security network or MAC-P “will be robustly enforced during and after” the polls.
The Inspector–General of Police, William Fayia Sellu in his statement spoke of the community engagements initiated by the police. He noted that policing is not a man’s job and reassure the force’s trust in the partnership they have forged with communities.
“My appeal to you is as you go back to your communities, you see something, say something, don’t keep it to yourself, you don’t know who will be the next target or who next it’s going to affect”, the IG stated.
He said violence doesn’t differentiate between tribes or regions and encouraged all to work together to maintain the peace saying “Sierra Leone is the only country that we have”.
“ I want to reassure Sierra Leoneans that we are prepared to ensure that the forthcoming elections are conducted in a peaceful and harmonious environment’’, he promised.
Chief of Staff of the Sierra Leone Military, Lt. Gen. Peter K. Lavahun said they will not sit by and watch lawlessness taking a foothold and that they are ready to work with the Police within the framework of the MAC-P for tranquillity to prevail.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (24/04/23)
