By: Saffa B Moriba in Kenema district
Kenema, SIERRA LEONE – The Mayor elect of Kenema City Council Thomas Karimu Bandabla Baio has reported to the police division in Kenema about an attack on him at his 41 Fagbelalo street residence in Kenema on Sunday morning at around 1:40am.
The Mayor elect told the press that several stones and other missiles were thrown in his compound by unknown people that caused damage to his vehicle, AC, and corrugated iron sheets among others.
The entire compound was gripped with fear as if it was a battle between two warring factions.
The security personnel detailed at the compound opened the gate and the attackers at a distance used motorcycles and ran away. He did not fire any shots, but one of the Mayor’s vehicle was used to chase them but to no avail.
The CCTV cameras at the compound did not pick anyone as the attackers since they were a distance away.
He further disclosed that since he assumed power, this was the second attack on his life.
The first attack occurred during the COVID-19 era.
He said someone called him that they have some business to do with him and he must collect them at Blama town. On his way to Blama, he met a checkpoint, and there they attacked him and ran into the bush, where he was for over four hours until, in the morning, he found his way to the then Bandana checkpoint.
Together with the chiefs and security, they went to the scene and retrieved the vehicle and all the belongings intact, including the money that was in the bag he was carrying for the proposed business.
The attackers were only after his life and not any other thing else.
He described such an attack on him as barbaric, adding the country is no more at war. He called on all and sundry to maintain peace in the country thereby paving the way for development.
The second attack on his life is under investigation. SM/4/7/2023
