, the Freetown City Council (FCC) has issued a press release outlining decisive actions to safeguard the resting places of departed loved ones.

The press release expresses the FCC’s disdain for the gross violation of cemetery peace, citing incidents of opened vaults, theft of metals, and disturbingly, tampering with the remains of the deceased. The FCC strongly advises perpetrators of these heinous crimes to cease their actions immediately, emphasizing the importance of allowing the dead to rest in peace.

Effective immediately, the FCC announces the termination of access to or through any cemetery at 7:00 PM daily. No individual is permitted to pass through or conduct any business within cemeteries after this designated time. To enforce these measures, armed police personnel will be stationed at the cemeteries, with punitive measures in place for offenders.

The FCC acknowledges the collaboration with the Inspector General of Police in deploying armed personnel and calls upon residents living around the cemetery perimeters to be extra vigilant, especially during nighttime hours. Residents are encouraged to apprehend any suspects and hand them over to the Sierra Leone Police authorities for subsequent prosecution.

Recognizing the financial requirements for implementing these security measures, the FCC appeals to Freetown residents to fulfill their civic responsibilities by paying property rates, business licenses, and local taxes promptly.

In the interim, the FCC expresses gratitude for the cooperation of Freetown residents, emphasizing that armed police presence in cemeteries and restricted access after 7:00 PM are crucial steps to curb the ongoing desecration incidents. The Council reassures the public that these measures aim to restore sanctity to the final resting places and maintain the dignity of the departed.