Police on full alert for elections…Police spokesman
Security in Sierra Leone was largely stable in 2006 and strategies have been put in place to ensure violence-free elections this year, Director of Police Media, Alhaji K.M. Bangura said yesterday in an interview with Concord Times at Police Headquarters, George Street , Freetown . He however admitted that every year poses security challenges to the police force. “We have put in place measures and strategies to ensure peaceful elections,” he said“The security situation has been very stable and peaceful.
Since the withdrawal of Unamsil, we have been able to reduce crime rate including armed robbery by 20%.“We also established local police partnership board, in a bid to include the community people in policing their own areas.Alhaji Bangura said they introduced series of operations to ensure safety and security for all. These include “Free Flow, Test Weight, Turn About,” amongst others.
He admitted that they were greatly embarrassed by the end of the year, due to the mysterious escape of Private Abdule Seasay from custody which threatened to erode confidence in the force. He said it got to point where some sections of the public called for the Inspector General of Police, Brima Acha Kamara to be sacked. “We thank God that we got him arrested for the second time, and his arrest gave us more strength to organize ourselves for the festive season”“Throughout this holiday, the entire country was cool and calm,” he concluded.
