In a devastating incident at Kabba River near Kamakwie, two lives were lost when a National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) operation took a tragic turn. The victims include a 10-year-old girl and a 44-year-old man, who drowned during the operation conducted by NPAA staff along the Kabba River.
Reports confirm that the incident occurred when the NPAA Park Manager for the Otamba Kilima National Park (OKNP), Miss Magdalene Koroma, the Law Enforcement Manager, Mr. Dauda Lenge Bangura, and two other officers, accompanied by armed military and police personnel, clashed with gold miners in the area. This confrontation forced terrified villagers to flee, leading to the unfortunate drowning of the two civilians.
Government authorities, including the police, Office of National Security, District Council members, and Members of Parliament from Karene District, have visited the scene to conduct investigations. The community is demanding justice for the tragic loss of innocent lives.
According to villagers interviewed, tensions arose due to soured arrangements between NPAA management and gold miners in the area. The clash escalated, resulting in the NPAA operation that caused the deaths of the two civilians.
An elder from Sella Chiefdom explained, “The tragic incident is a result of panic when the victims saw the security forces advancing. The six-year-old girl and others were near the illegal mining site, and upon seeing the security forces, they ran towards the river as their only escape route. Unfortunately, the two drowned.”
It is reported that the bodies could not undergo autopsy due to family requests, rooted in tradition and the advanced state of decomposition.
Contrary to initial confusion, the incident occurred in Sella Chiefdom, not Tambaka, and the affected communities, especially the families of the deceased, are urging the government to conduct a thorough investigation. They seek assurance that justice will prevail through the country’s legal system.
The grieving community places its hope and faith in elected officials, urging Members of Parliament and the council to ensure accountability for those responsible for this tragic loss of life.
