By Janet A. Sesay
Private soldier, Ibrahim Sidious Deen deployed at 5th battalion, has told Judge Advocate, Mark Ngegba that he was commanded by the enemies to help them take away guns, bombs and bullets from the armoury.
The witness made the startling revelation while testifying at the Court Martial last Friday.
In his testimony, witness told the court that his role was to guard and patrol 5th battalion vicinity, and on 26th November, 2023, he was on duty at 5th battalion where he was posted to secure the arms store.
On that day in the evening hours, witness said, he was on night duty with guard commander, Corporal Massaquoi as well as mustapha Yamba and others.
He said at 10pm, he took excuse to rest, and the guard commander was on duty until 12am when Corporal Massaquoi woke him up and said it was his turn to guard.
At that time, witness continued, Major Turay the operations officer, arrived at their beat and ordered them to be vigilant.
He also testified that Sergeant Mansaray also went to the post to know how the work was going, and without staying long, Sergeant Turay went into the arm store and later went away.
Witness also told the court that he saw soldiers coming from the barracks and later sat under a tree near the guard post, and was ordered to inquire whether the soldiers were from the 5th battalion.
Witness said he took his rifle to go there, but he saw two vehicles at the gate and waited for a moment adding that one of the vehicles stopped at the entrance of the guard post and the other was parked at the guardroom.
He said Captain Senessie disembarked from the first vehicle but did not know the other captain in the other vehicle.
Captain Senessie who, according to the witness, was dressed in polo and brown boots invited them to his vehicle, and at that time, five men clad in black clothes had disembarked from the vehicle.
Witness said he and other soldiers went to Captain Senessie who informed them that he would leave for the defence headquarters and ordered them to look after the vehicle as he would be back.
Witness also testified that Captain Senessie took out two bundles of twenty new Leones and attempted to give him the money adding that as he was about to receive it, Captain Senessie forcefully took away his weapon and ordered the five unknown men to scold him which they did.
At that time, Corporal Massaquoi, witness said, had been captured by the three men after disarming and threatening to kill him.
The order, according to the witness, was issued by Captain Senessie as the other two men went to the back of the guardroom.
“The men were ordered by captain Senessie to follow them behind the guard post where the ammunition store is located, and they are to also look for the other Soldiers, but they did not see anyone,” witness testified.
On their way back, witness continued, they heard Sergeant Turay and one of the enemies that scolded him asking for the location of the arms store.
Sergeant Turay, according to the witness, pointed at the building where the arms and ammunition were kept, and the one who had scolded him ordered he switched off his phone which he did.
Witness said Captain Senessie also ordered the man to take the phone from him which he did violently.
Witness further testified that Captain Senessie asked Sergeant Turay about the other soldiers and responded that they had run away.
“I will shoot at them if they run away,” witness quoted Captain Senessie and that the unknown men ordered him to sit on the ground and they pointed the gun at him.
The men, witness went on, took a hammer from one of the vehicles and broke into the armoury as most of the sleeping soldiers did not know what was going on.
But, one of the soldiers, witness said, immediately woke up from sleep asking who was breaking the store, but the assailants placed him under gun point.
The attackers, according to the witness, entered the armoury and ordered him to help them take out boxes containing guns, bullets and RPGs (Rocket-Propelled Grenades).
At the height of the operation, witness said, he requested the assailants to allow him ease himself and was permitted to do so.
Witness also told the court that he ran away from the scene after Captain Senessie issued order to start shooting which was complied with.
“I ran into the barracks and explained to the forest guards, and they told me to go home and hide,” witness recounted but instead hid into an old booth in a small bush and spent the night there.
Witness however could not tell where the assailants took the arms, but captain Senessie said if they had all the weapons they would go to the lodge and overthrow the president.
Witness was cross-examined by defence counsels I. Bangura and Julian Cole on behalf of the 10th and 17th accused respectively.
The matter comes up next Wednesday.