By Thaimu T. Kamara

 Mankneh Village, Bombali District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone, a rural community located approximately 182 kilometres northeast part of Freetown, was plunged into chaos in the early hours of 2nd February 2025, following a violent and coordinated attack allegedly carried out by over 100 individuals from the neighbouring Konta community. The assault, rooted in an ongoing chieftaincy dispute, has left the village devastated and its residents living in fear.

At the heart of the conflict is Mr. Daniel Raymond Kamara, who has declared himself Paramount Chief (PC) Othoroneh III. Mr. Kamara is accused of inciting the violence over a SLE100 payment that the Mankneh Village Primary School allegedly failed to remit for a local talent show, though village leaders insist the money had been paid, Mr. Kamara reportedly accused the community of defiance and vowed vengeance once officially installed as chief.

Court testimonies reveal that Mr. Kamara had made numerous threats against the Mankneh villagers in the lead-up to the attack, warning of dire consequences if they did not comply with his authority, when questioned by the magistrate, Mr. Kamara admitted to being present during the incident but failed to produce any credentials supporting his claim to chieftaincy, he has not been handed the traditional staff of office nor provided with a certificate validating his leadership.

The consequences of the attack have been severe and far-reaching, the village’s primary school, mosque, and church were significantly vandalized and partially destroyed, Multiple homes were set ablaze, displacing families and destroying personal belongings.

Agricultural lands, central to the community’s livelihood, were torched; water wells were reportedly poisoned, threatening access to safe drinking water, two villagers sustained serious injuries and required emergency treatment.

The destruction has disrupted everyday life in Mankneh. Children are out of school, crops are ruined, and clean water is scarce all amid a climate of fear and uncertainty.

Following the attack, a magistrate court summoned Mr. Kamara and twelve other accused individuals. Mr. Kamara, while present at the first hearing, failed to substantiate his claims to leadership and is concurrently facing a petition case in the High Court.

Since that initial appearance, Mr. Kamara and his co-accused have absconded from court proceedings. Arrest warrants were issued nearly a month ago, but they remain unenforced. Shockingly, the Provincial Secretary (PS) in Makeni has stated that Mr. Kamara requires his personal permission to attend court an assertion that has sparked outrage and raised questions about political interference and abuse of power.

Despite reports that the police had finalized plans to arrest the suspects, no meaningful action has been taken. The apparent reluctance of law enforcement to intervene has drawn criticism from human rights defenders and civil society actors, who cite a dangerous precedent of selective justice and impunity.

Residents of Mankneh village are demanding justice and the immediate execution of arrest warrants, community leaders have expressed mounting frustration with the apparent inaction of state institutions.

We have suffered enough, our children can’t go to school, our farms are destroyed, and our water is poisoned, one village elder told reporters, if the government cannot protect us, who will

The situation remains volatile, and there is fear that renewed violence could erupt if urgent action is not taken. Civil society organizations are calling for, an independent investigation into the attack and the failure to enforce court orders.

Immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused individuals, enhanced security presence in Mankneh to ensure the safety of residents, stronger oversight of local government and judicial officers involved in the case.

The Mankneh Village incident underscores a broader national concern about the intersection of traditional authority, political power, and justice in Sierra Leone. without decisive intervention, this case risks further eroding public trust in governance structures and setting a dangerous tone for future conflicts, as the villagers continue to rebuild from the ashes, their plea is simple: protection, justice, and peace.