04/09/2026
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Leads Peacebuilding and Fact-Finding Mission to Moriba Town
Freetown, September 3, 2026 (SLENA)- The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. David Fortune led a stakeholder engagement and fact-finding mission Moriba Town, Imperi Chiefdom, Bonthe District, following death community member Mr Abdulai Sesay during police operation 29 August 2026.
The mission conducted on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, brought Ministry Internal Affairs, Sierra Leone Police, Office National Security, traditional authorities, community leaders, youth representatives, other stakeholders together.
Engagement held Moriba Town Court Barrie aimed calming tensions, promoting peace dialogue, providing community members opportunity raising concerns surrounding Mr Sesay's death circumstances.
Community members and youth representatives raised several allegations concerning the circumstances of the deaths. One youth representative allegedthat two police personnel,el identified names or aliases "Gbaki" and "Sparta" involved pursuing and mistreating deceased.
A woman identifying herself as Mr Sesay's sister raised concerns, ns alleging possible video evidence related to the incident. Matter referred to he ropriate investigative authorities for verification.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Minister Fortune urged community members, particularly youth, to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands. He emphasised rule law importance, encouraging residents using established institutions including Sierra Leone Police, Office National Security, relevant local authorities reporting grievances security concerns.
Deputy Minister cautioned young people against drug abuse, drug peddling, other unlawful activities, highlighting Kush and other illicit drugs destructive effects young people and communities. He called for peaceful cooperation between the community and security personnel, stressing that dialogue and lawful processes remain essential for resolving disputes and maintaining peace.
Regional Police Commander South AIG Joseph Ibrahim Lahai expressed condolencto the es bereaved family, reaffirming Sierra Leone Police responsibility protecting lives property. AIG Lahai assured cthe ommunity Mthat r Sesay's death circumstances twill be horoughly impartially investigated, appropriate action taken if wrongdoing established.
He announced the immediate withdrawal of a l police officer identified as "LA" from Moriba Town Police Station following professional misconduct allegations. Other engagement-raised allegations would face appropriate investigation.
Regional CID Coordinator South Superintendent Bangura appealed to community members with relevant information to cooperate with investigators. Residents encouraged providing eyewitness accounts, video footage, photographs, other evidence assisting establishing incident facts.
Engagement provided opportunity stakeholders raising wider Moriba Town Imperi Chiefdom concerns: youth unemployment, limited livelihood opportunities, agricultural land access, mining opportunities, Sierra Rutile Limited operational changes potential employment economic activity impacts.
Stakeholders highlighted limited police manpower, inadequate operational vehicles and motorbikes, and poor road infrastructure continuing to affect effective security operations and emergency response across Bonthe District parts.
Youth representative requested Local Policing Partnership Board Rutile Division participation in the investigative process, citing transparency, accountability, and confidence-building needs.
Stakeholder engagement ended peacefully, Deputy Minister delegation members urging community members maintaining calm, cooperating investigators, allowing due process course.
Ministry Internal Affairs emphasised continued Government, security sector, traditional authorities, community stakeholders engagement necessity sustaining peace, strengthening public confidence, addressing emerging security socio-economic concerns Moriba Town wider Imperi Chiefdom.
Intervention underscores Government commitment peacebuilding, accountability, justice, dialogue, lives property protection while ensuring incident-derived allegations addressed through credible lawful investigative processes.
Correspondence-Mabinty Koroma
Email: [email protected]
Tel:+2378078417