Although the protest is somehow peaceful in various parts of the country, Makeni, the Northeastern regional capital is slowly degenerating into an all-out conflict between security forces and the protesters. A resident in Makeni, Idrissa Kamara told this press that scenes of violent encounters took place between forces of law and order and the civilians. “I was in my bedroom when I saw security forces running after the protesters, and others were injured,” Kamara told this press via mobile phone.
Speaking from a locked bedroom, he said no business went on in Makeni, and signs of life returning to normalcy are non-existent. Another resident, Foday Mansaray and other residents told similar stories of violent clashes. He calls on government to send foreign troops to secure the Northern city. It remains unclear whether government would respond to the distress call.
It is also reported that massive arrest of protesters has taken place in Makeni, and many are in detention.  PortLoko, the Northwestern regional capital also saw similar violence.  A resident there, Saidu Bangura told Nightwatch that a protester had been hit by a bullet.  The victim is currently responding to medical treatment and the Regional Police Commander there is footing the bill.
In PortLoko, those arrested have been released as protesters threatened to go on the rampage if they continued to hold them in cells. Head of OSD (Operations Support Division), Assistant Inspector General of Police, Francis Tawa has been warned to warn his riflemen.
An ultimatum has been issued by former fighters that either Mr Tawa withdrew his armed personnel from the streets or face attacks. The latest incident in Makeni showcases hypocrisy of President Julius Maada Bio who assured the international community that no shot would be fired during the protest. The caretaker President recently made it clear that he would not kill again, and the political space had been opened to all and sundry.
Every citizen, he said, was free to participate in politics. But, security forces still continue their usual crackdown on defenceless civilians in various parts of the country. Makeni city has always been a flashpoint for police brutality since Bio took over power in April, 2018. Scenes of police killings were widespread in the Northern capital during August 10, 2022 demonstrations which were held for the high cost of living for which Sierra Leone is known at the moment. Makeni city also saw bloodbath in July, 2020 when youth resisted the removal of a thermal plant there.
20 residents were gunned down, but official account indicated six as the figure of casualties. Intermittent waves of violence in APC strongholds are not uncommon even before the protest. APC members and supporters are targetted for violence especially in the Southern and eastern regions, heartlands of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party. Dozens of APC (All People’s Congress) supporters are at various health facilities in Pujehun after waves of brutal attacks quite recently. The attacks came after approximately 500 women declared for APC as they wait to have the first First First Lady in history.
Chairperson for APC in Pujehun confirmed to this press, in an interview, that the matter was reported to the police for investigation. “The matter is now in the hands of the police, and they are now investigating,” she said. Those attacked, she went on, had been responding to medical treatment, but were yet to be discharged. The APC chairperson promised to furnish this press with more details as events unfold.
Information reaching this press show that a good chunk of those who declared were members of the ruling party, a move other SLPP members will not put up with.
June 24 election is expected to be the hottest and most controversial. It decides whether SLPP would be the first party to rule for one term since the introduction of multi-party democracy in Sierra Leone. It is clear that SLPP is not ready to make such sad history, and their members will stop at nothing to ensure victory for their party in the June polls.
It is their hope that brutalising their fellow brothers and sisters is the only way to bring them back to their party. It is also not yet clear whether the attacks have died down or will continue until mission accomplished. Declaration for the APC by strong and influential women in the Southern district means a devastating blow for the ruling party.
For years gone by, Pujehun is a traditional stronghold of SLPP, a party known to several generations of Wanjamarians. The physical assaults do not stop in pujehun; they take place in other parts of South-East regions. Quite recently, APC supporters were targetted for political violence in Koinadugu district in the North of Sierra Leone. A reliable source in the Northern district said SLPP supporters attacked APC members in an open confrontation.
The attacks, according to a source, came after the NGC (National Grand Coalition) Chairman in Koinadugu declared for the APC alongside other members. Teargas canisters and live rounds were fired by police in what appeared a restoration of order. As the firing ensued, residents in Koinadugu spent the day in locked rooms to escape the heat and smoke of the canisters. It was also reported that some APC supporters were arrested and detained.
No fatality however was neither detected nor reported, but ears were kept to the ground. Similar political violence also took place in Bonthe district in the South where APC members were also allegedly physically attacked. A former APC councillor,  Daddy Avondor said they were assaulted by SLPP supporters while canvassing voters. One of their supporters, he went on, was also arrested and detained at the police station.
However, no SLPP member or supporter was arrested although they were accused of perpetrating the violence. Avondor further explained that he and other APC executive officials tried very hard to secure the release of their colleague, but police refused to grant bail citing “order from above.” He showed how frustrating it was on that day.
“Our APC supporters were attacked and injured, but none of the perpetrators was arrested. Instead, the APC supporters who were victims of the assault were threatened and intimidated by the police,” the APC councillor Lamented. Since the police did not grant bail to the APC detainee, Avondor went on, they returned home peacefully without embarking on any reprisal attacks. In the following morning, APC officials went again to the police station and negotiated bail, and suspect was released on strict conditions. Although the police appeared to have been partial in their duty, APC members however put up with the situation for the sake of peace.
However, the Bonthe district APC executive called on government, the international community (EU, AU, ECOWAS, US, UK etc) to closely monitor actions of the police before, during and after the elections since police unprofessionalism is fuelling political tension in almost every part of the country. Few days ago, Tonkolili district in the Northern region, was also subjected to political violence for which accusing fingers were pointed at members of the ruling party.
The Police were also accused of dragging their feet to arrest the SLPP supporters and bring them to justice. Their negligence made some disgruntled men to dash for the police station forcing police officers to seek haven elsewhere. The chaos had recently died down, but deep grudge remains. In a seeming collusion with the attackers, President Bio and his team have condemned none of the attacks.