By Richmond B. Tholley
There are serious concerns and calls for investigation into the alleged shooting of a youth in Malal Chiefdom leading to injuries and wounds on his forehead by a member of the Sierra Leone Police force.
“We’re calling on the Inspector General of Police to swiftly intervene and thoroughly investigate this matter,” an anonymous resident said.
A member of the Sierra Leone Police’s Operational Support Division (OSD) attached to the Mile 91 Police Division, the officer reportedly wounded the 20-year-old youth, Alhaji Issa Fornah, during a riot in Ropolon Bana village, Malal Chiefdom, Tonkolili District.
The incident, which occurred on the morning of Thursday, 23rd January 2025, has left Fornah with a severe forehead injury.
He was receiving treatment at the MSF Hospital in Mile 91. Eyewitnesses and family members allege that the OSD officer fired live rounds during an altercation between youths and leaders of the Poro secret society.
Videos shared online show Fornah bleeding profusely, with blood oozing from his forehead. In some clips, the OSD officer is seen firing his weapon indiscriminately, even while being transported on a motorbike.
The Mile 91 Police Station has earlier confirmed its awareness of the incident and stated that an investigation was ongoing.
But residents are expressing anger that the Mile 91 Division is not informing them of the progress of the investigation, and they’re worried whether the OSD officer is currently being investigated.
“As a community, we believe the police officer must be held accountable, especially when there is evidence of his indiscriminate shooting that led to the injuries to our son,” a family member said over the phone.
This is not the first time issues involving police officers in the area are left uninvestigated, and the community fears that this matter will be buried under the carpet and the officer will not be brought to book and face justice.
The action of the OSD officer, residents said, instills fear among the villagers and also threatens the security of the community.
As Sierraloaded carries its investigation, bullet casings were discovered at the scene, confirming the use of live ammunition.
Even the Paramount of Malal Chiefdom, PC Bailal N’soila III, acknowledged the shooting but denied that the officer’s bullets caused Fornah’s injuries.
What angered residents most is that they have not been updated on whether the OSD officer, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his recent transfer to the Rochen Malal Police Post, is currently being investigated as promised by the leadership of the Mile 91 Police Division.
Residents have criticized the use of live ammunition, describing the event as deeply troubling.
The Sierra Leone Police has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of public unrest, particularly its use of live bullets, which has led to fatalities and property damage in recent incidents.
Though Fornah is slowly recovering, a family source said the Inspector General of Police should investigate the matter and ensure the alleged officer is brought to book for his unlawful action.
When contacted over the phone, the local unit commander of the Mile 91 Division refused to comment on the story.
The refusal of the commander to comment on the story has also created doubts among residents.
This reporter later contacted Sgt. John Abass Kamara, the Northeast region spokesman for the Sierra Leone Police. In a telephone conversation, Sgt. Kamara said they had learned about the incident after it was published on social media, but he hasn’t seen the files. Therefore, he said it would be early to comment on the story.
