Usually reliable information reaching Africa 24 has revealed that a Sierra Leonean, Lamin Kargbo a driver, wife and two kids, a boy and a girl lives are reportedly under serious threat as their exact whereabouts remain unknown.
According to credible sources, Lamin Kargbo is alleged to be a close ally to the late social media blogger, Hassan Dumbuya aka Evangelist Sampson who was brutally murdered by unidentified gun men in Makeni; in the aftermath of the August 10, 2022 protest by youth against incumbent president Bio.
The youth accused president Bio of gross human rights violations, especially against members of the main opposition APC (All People’s Congress), ineptitude to create jobs and lack of fiscal discipline was
The youth are also not comfortable with Bio owing to his inability to fix the economy defined by skyrocketing inflation, poor standard of living and rampant corruption within his administration, despite his tough approach against graft which they saw as a hoax.
Sources further revealed to Africa24 that Lamin Kargbo was a key player in circulating audio messages released by Evangelist Sampson that were attached with calls for protest. Sampson’s audios messages, authorities in Sierra Leone deemed as inciting and have the tendency to cause anarchy owing to his uncompromising stance against president Bio’s led SLPP-government.
Reports also stated that Lamin Kargbo, was among youth in Makeni that resisted security forces on July 18, 2020 for the relocation of an electricity generator from Makeni to Lungi International Airport, an action state authorities said was rebellious.
The Makeni generator saga, left scores of youth injured and six dead owing to an open confrontation between youth and security forces who fired live bullets at protesters.
The August 10, 2022 deadly protest in Sierra Leone, also saw the death of six police officers, 25 civilians and many injured as government facilities were set ablaze including police stations.
Government on the other hand described the protest as a coup d’état, and stated that the masterminds and collaborators of such action will face severe consequences.
Makeni happens to be the stronghold of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, and residents there suffered fatal consequences since April 4, 2018 when President Julius Madda Bio took over state governance.
A source at Police headquarters confides in Africa24 that Lamin Kargbo is a wanted person by the State as he was allegedly accused of playing active role in destabilising the nation.
During the course of our investigation we discovered that following the July 18, 2020 and August 10, 2022 incidents, youth suspected to have resisted security forces were apprehended and detained at undisclosed locations.
Some, sources say, were arbitrarily tortured to death inhumanly and those who were fortunate to have escaped like Lamin Kargbo, wife and kids whereabouts remain unknown. Report from Makeni disclosed to Africa24 that Lamin Kargbo was not at his residence when heavily armed men raided.
However, his wife and two kids, report noted, were aided to escape, and Lamin, sources said, got wind of what actually transpired at his residence as such, he never attempted to return home.
According to our source, one of the gun men that raided the residence of Lamin Kargbo was overheard saying that Lamin will be the next after the brutal murder of Evangelist Sampson. The armed security officer added that nothing will stop them to replicate exactly what they did to Evangelist Sampson when captured.