By Richmond B. Tholley
There’s a public outcry in Mara Chiefdom in the Northern District of Bombali over the alleged beating of a suckling mother and her one-year-old baby by a chiefdom police officer under the command of a senior section chief.
Zainab Sesay and her baby were reportedly manhandled and assaulted by Umaro Jalloh, a chiefdom police officer in Mara Chiefdom, on the 28th of March 2025.
The mother said Jalloh was ordered by James Fullah, the section of Mara Section. Videos and photos shared online showed the mother holding her son, and she was in handcuffs.
The community has condemned the act, describing it as harsh and inhumane.
“Such matters shouldn’t be left uninvestigated. That’s why we’re drawing the attention of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and the authorities to make sure the mother and her baby get justice,” a resident said.
Though the matter was reported to the Mena Police Station and is currently being investigated, the possibility of the victims getting justice is slim because the family has suspected external interference.
“As I talk to you now, we have understood that the Paramount Chief is using the Senior District Officer to stop the Chiefdom police officer and Section Chief from facing justice,” a family member said.
The family is not only crying for justice but has also joined the community in the call for the intervention of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone.
Lately, this medium has understood the matter is now on the desk of the state counsel in the Northeast region for his legal advice.
While waiting for the state counsel’s legal advice, the family and the community called on the commission and authorities to ensure the matter is not buried under the carpet.
