A man identified as Alhassan Jalloh of Mongeba community in Regent Village, Freetown has been declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police after allegedly stabbing two officers to death while attempting to defend himself and his family.
The incident, which occurred in the aftermath of the August 10 protests in Freetown, forced Jalloh to flee the country to escape what he described as a politically motivated attack.
Investigations by this media uncovered that the situation escalated following accusations against Alhassan’s father of aiding protesters during the violent demonstrations. His father, a well-known figure and businesses man in the Mongeba community was respected for his generosity and support for those in need.
How It All Started
According to Alhassan, trouble began when some people from the community approached his father on the day of the protests, requesting money for water. His father, known for his kindness, assisted them. However, this act of goodwill was misinterpreted by government supporters, who accused him of financing the protesters.
Later that night, the family heard a knock at the door, which sounded like a child crying for help. As they rushed to open, masked men armed with knives stormed in, demanding to see his father. They accused him of funding the protests and was stabbed assaulted him when he tried to defend himself.
During the commotion, Alhassan’s aunt, who was in the bathroom, came out to see what was happening. One of the masked men threatened to rape her if the family resisted. This enraged his father, who attempted to protect his sister, but one of the attackers stabbed him in the process.
Alhassan recalled that in the struggle, one of the attackers’ masks fell off, revealing his identity. When questioned, the assailants allegedly admitted they had been sent by a top government official to “deal with” his father for allegedly supporting protesters.
A Desperate Escape Turns Deadly
In the chaos, Alhassan managed to escape as the attackers set their house on fire with his parents locked inside. Seeking help, he went to a family friend who was a police officer, hoping for protection. However, he soon realized the officer was in contact with the attackers.
“I was arrested at the station, and I heard the officer calling one of the masked men, telling him to come over,” Alhassan disclosed. Upon the arrival of the suspect, Alhassan overheard a conversation in which a knife was allegedly handed over to the man with instructions to kill him inside the police station.
Realizing the imminent danger, Alhassan took drastic action. He grabbed a knife from a collection of weapons seized from protesters and fought for his life. In the struggle, he fatally stabbed both the officer and the masked man before making his escape.
Fleeing for His Life
With his face now among the most wanted individuals in the country, Alhassan was forced to go into hiding. His uncle later assisted him in fleeing the country to avoid what he believed would be an extrajudicial execution.
The Sierra Leone Police have since launched a nationwide manhunt for him, branding him a fugitive responsible for the killing of two officers.
The incident has raised serious concerns about political violence and extrajudicial actions in Sierra Leone, with critics questioning the involvement of state officials in targeted attacks on citizens accused of opposition sympathies.
