At least 20 individuals, including 13 soldiers, have lost their lives in a series of assaults on military barracks and prisons in Sierra Leone. The perpetrators, described as “renegade soldiers,” launched the attacks but were successfully repelled. According to Colonel Issa Bangura, the deceased count includes 13 soldiers, three assailants, a police officer, a civilian, and a private security employee. Additionally, eight individuals sustained injuries, while three suspects were apprehended. Following the assault on the facility, approximately 1,890 individuals held at the Pademba Road central prison managed to escape.
President Julius Maada Bio stated that the majority of the individuals responsible for the attacks have been apprehended, and efforts are underway to detain the remaining perpetrators. Information Minister Chernor Bah reassured the public that the government and its state security forces maintain control. Limited information has been disclosed regarding the identity and motives of the attackers. Some individuals involved in the assault informed local media that their objective was to “clean up the system.” Additionally, some members of the military have displayed disloyalty to the government and the president, despite having taken the oath.
Bangura expressed the desire to swiftly reinstate law and order. The government has now classified this event as a coup attempt.
Armed individuals attempted to breach an armory at a military base in close proximity to the president’s residence and assaulted two of the city’s primary correctional facilities, resulting in the release of certain inmates.
