Sierra Leone has imposed a countrywide curfew following the intrusion of armed men into prisons, resulting in the release of inmates.
On Sunday morning, detainees from several “major” facilities were released, as announced by the information minister of the West African nation.
Before the reported events, armed individuals had struck a military barracks in the capital city of Freetown. Gunfire was reported by residents in the area surrounding the barracks, which happens to be near the presidential residence.
The Ministry of Information declared an immediate curfew after the attack, strongly advising residents across the country to stay indoors, and all flights to and from the nation’s sole international airport have been cancelled.
Information Minister Chernor Bah announced at about 13:30 (local time and GMT) that the “assailants” had been forced back to the outskirts of Freetown.
He wrote on social media platform X: ‘Most of the city is calm and under control of the state security forces.’
‘Major detention centres including the Pademba Road Prisons were attacked earlier today and in the interest of protecting civilian lives (including of prisoners), the security forces were forced to make a tactical retreat.’
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The press was briefed by a military source, revealing that arrests have been made, including the capture of gunmen, including former President Ernest Koroma’s guard.
This morning, Africa Today News, New York, received reports of soldiers in Freetown carrying heavy weaponry in a commandeered police vehicle, some chanting their intention to “clean Sierra Leone.”
The exact number of released prisoners remains unclear, but videos circulated on social media depict numerous individuals fleeing from the vicinity of Freetown’s Central Pademba Road prison.
One video seemed to capture the moment when the famous rapper Boss LAJ, previously held on robbery charges last year, was running without constraint.
Addressing the nation on X, President Julius Maada Bio emphasized a dedication to “secure democracy in Sierra Leone” and advised citizens to stay indoors.
Since June, the political atmosphere in Sierra Leone has remained fraught, stemming from President Bio’s narrow re-election and the close call to a runoff.
Inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in the count, along with acts of violence and intimidation, have drawn condemnation from international observers.
Several soldiers were arrested in August, charged with plotting a coup against the president.
Military rule has been established in eight West and Central African countries, with a series of coups, including one in neighboring Guinea.