By; Amara Thoronka
Government has lifted the indefinite nationwide curfew that was declared following a break into the armoury at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown in the early hours of Sunday, November 26th, 2023; a situation that resulted in several happenings of unrest, including heavy gun firing and prison break.
According to the Information Ministry, the initial curfew – now lifted – was to enable security forces to continue the process of apprehending suspects described as “Some unidentified individuals who attempted to break into the military armoury at Wilberforce Barracks,”
Following revision and update on earlier notice of the indefinite curfew across Sierra Leone, government has lifted the said curfew.
“The indefinite curfew is hereby lifted effective 6:00 a.m on November 27th, 2023,” a government statement signed by Information Minister Chernor Bah disclosed.
However, the public notice confirmed the mounting of a new curfew from 9:00 p.m to 6:00 a.meveryday, starting Monday 27thNovember, 2023. This will be in effect until further notice.
The difference between the two curfews is that the first one that was imposed immediately after the break into the arsenal at the said barracks had no time or during. That is the one that has been lifted. The new imposed nationwide curfew is timed. It takes effect from Monday 27th November 2023 from 9:00 p.m to 6:00 a.meveryday until further notice.
Government, in the public notice dated 26thNovember, 2024 and signed bt Information Minister Chernor Bah, thanked the public for cooperating with and supporting security forces as they continue to deal with the situation.
“While we encourage citizens to return to their normal activities starting at 6:00 a.m on Monday 27th November 2023, we continue to urge everyone to remain but vigilant and to report any suspicious or unusual activity to the nearest police station,” the government admonished.
It could be recalled that the Information Ministry, in a public notice dated 26thNovember, 2023 and signed by Information Minister Chernor Bah, disclosed that: “Some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at Wilberforce Barracks.”
Also, it has been confirmed by the Sierra Leone Police that the same group of “assailants” attacked and broke open Pademba Road and Special Court Correctional Centres, Kissy and Calaba Town Police Stations, causing several prisoners and suspects to escape.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)