By Sorie Ibarahim Fofanah
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah has read out the names of Sierra Leone Armed Forces officers whom he said were the planners of the November 26th attempted coup.
Bah made this statement at the government’s weekly press briefing on 5th December 2023, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference room, Tower Hill, Freetown.
The number of people considered as planners of the failed coup that are currently in custody are Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma alias American, Corporal Edward Koroma, Mohamed Jalloh, Sergeant Ibrahim Bundu Kamara, and Staff Sergeant Idriss Kallon, Bah said.
On details of the number of suspects currently in police custody, he said they are fifty-seven among whom he added thirty-seven soldiers of the Armed Forces, four retired soldiers, one retired Police officer, ten civilians, and five current Police officers. The investigation team includes joint experts across all security sectors, saying they have questioned twenty-three of the suspects, and the government has handed their statements to the Director of Public Prosecution.
Giving an update on the death toll of soldiers, he said eighteen “loyal soldiers” gave their lives on November 26th to protect the peace and democracy of the country, naming Lieutenant Colonel Samai, Major Mboma, and Staff Sergeant Marrah N., Sergeant Marrah K. among others
Of those who were declared wanted by the Police, Bah said Koita has been arrested and is under investigation. He was arrested at Tree Planting, around 11:30 p.m., the minister added.
Koita according to the Minister was harbored by Sargent Alimatu Hassan Bangura a police officer who works at the Criminal Investigation Department, and that the two have been handed over to the police for investigations, Bah said. In the same house where Koita was arrested, the investigation also finds that police arrested one member of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) by the name of Inspector John Momohneh Kamara at the top floor of the said building, the minister said.
Bah noted that it is a result of the effect of the curfew that has helped in the arrests of some of the assailants.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (08/12/23)
