In the aftermath of a daring jailbreak orchestrated by armed assailants on Sunday, the Sierra Leone police have issued a list of 34 individuals, including a Nigerian national, declared as wanted fugitives.
The prison break, whose scale remains uncertain, transpired concurrently with an attack on the Wilberforce barracks, a facility housing several foreign embassies, including those of China, Germany, Austria, Gambia, Lebanon, and Syria. This prompted a nationwide curfew in response to the escalating situation.
President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone refrained from explicitly labeling the events as a coup but emphasized that they constituted an attempt to destabilize the hard-earned stability of the nation. He confirmed the apprehension of most leaders involved in the attack, with investigations still underway.
On Tuesday, the Sierra Leonean police released photographs and identities of 32 men and 2 women, encompassing serving and retired military personnel, police officers, and civilians, categorizing them as “fugitives.” Among them is “Abayomi Thomas,” identified as a major in the Sierra Leonean army.
While the authorities have not disclosed the motives or objectives behind the coordinated incidents, they have announced a “handsome reward” for anyone providing information leading to the arrest of the wanted individuals.
Sierra Leone has been grappling with a tense political climate since President Bio’s re-election in June. The election results, contested by the opposition candidate and questioned by international partners, including the US and European Union, have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the nation’s political landscape.
The recent unrest in Sierra Leone unfolds against the backdrop of a series of military coups in West and Central Africa, underscoring the broader regional challenges facing political stability.