Five Sierra Leonean Ex-Military Officers Arrested In Guinea

Emmanuel EjioforJuly 10, 20241 Mins read231

Sierra Leone's President, Julius Bio. Photo Source: Sierra Leone Telegraph

Five former senior military officers from Sierra Leone have been arrested in Guinea for their alleged involvement in a subversion attempt on November 26, 2023, according to Commissioner Joseph Abraham Lahai, the Director of Crime Services at the Sierra Leone Police.

The ex-officers arrested were Major F. S. Kamara, Major Patrick Sesay, Major A. I. Bangura, Lieutenant Colonel Zainab A. Sulu, and Major Juana Kabba.

Commissioner Lahai informed journalists about the arrests during a press briefing at the Sierra Leone Police Headquarters in Freetown on July 8, 2024.

The arrests are linked to events in 2023 where these military personnel were implicated in a plot to overthrow President Julius Bio.

“On November 26, 2023, Freetown was rocked by gunfire as armed individuals attempted to breach an armoury at Wilberforce Barracks, leading to the theft of weapons,” Lahai stated.

“Additionally, assailants opened two main prisons, resulting in the escape of inmates and the tragic deaths of at least 19 individuals, including 13 soldiers,” he added.

Following these incidents, the Sierra Leone Police identified several suspects involved in the subversion attempts, which included military officers.

These suspects fled to neighbouring countries seeking refuge but were intercepted by our intelligence operatives, said Lahai, adding that the suspects arrested in Guinea will be extradited to Sierra Leone to face the law.

15-Year-Old Becomes First Sierra Leonean to Qualify For Junior Olympic Games