Twenty people were killed and nearly 2,000 inmates escaped during Sunday's attack on a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone, officials said on Monday.

The West African country was thrown into panic in the early hours when the assailants sent gunfire ringing across the capital Freetown. The government blamed "renegade soldiers" that it said had been repelled.

President Julius Maada Bio said in an address on Sunday that most of the leaders of the attack had been arrested and that efforts to apprehend others were under way. An investigation has been launched, he said.

Army spokesman Colonel Issa Bangura told Reuters that the 20 dead included 13 soldiers, three assailants, a police officer, a civilian and someone working in private security. Eight people were wounded and three arrested, he said.

Some 1,890 inmates escaped from the Pademba Road central prison after the attackers broke in, according to a situation report that prison officials shared with Reuters on Monday. So far, 23 have returned, it said.

In a two-hour raid, the assailants rammed open the main gate with a vehicle after gunfire and a rocket launcher failed to breach prison defences, said Colonel Shek Sulaiman Massaquoi, the acting director general of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service.

Inside the prison on Monday, a Reuters reporter saw cell doors broken open or removed entirely, and piles of trash from an ongoing clean-up.

The police urged inmates to return to prison in a statement on Monday, and offered the public rewards for details on the whereabouts of escapees or the attackers.

Tentative&nbsp;Calm

Life returned to Freetown on Monday afternoon as shops and businesses opened after the government reduced an all-day curfew to a nightly one running from 2100-0600 GMT.

In a show of a return to normalcy, Bio's X social media account on Monday shared a picture of the president behind his desk in his office saying he was at work.

"The task before us is too great and urgent to be derailed by those who seek to truncate the peace and security that we have enjoyed as a country," he said in the post.

Sierra Leone, which is still recovering from a 1991-2002 civil war in which more than 50,000 were killed, has been tense since Bio was re-elected in June, a result rejected by the main opposition candidate and questioned by international partners including the United States and the European Union.

In August 2022, at least 21 civilians and six police officers were killed in anti-government protests.

Twenty people were killed and nearly 2,000 inmates escaped during Sunday's attack on a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone, officials said on Monday.

Twenty people were killed and nearly 2,000 inmates escaped during Sunday's attack on a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone, officials said on Monday. The West African country was thrown into panic in the early hours when the assailants sent gunfire ringing across the capital Freetown. The government blamed "renegade soldiers" that it said had been repelled. President Julius Maada Bio said in an address on Sunday that most of the leaders of the attack had been arrested and that efforts to apprehend others were under way. An investigation has been launched, he said. Army spokesman Colonel Issa Bangura told Reuters that the 20 dead included 13 soldiers, three assailants, a police officer, a civilian and someone working in private security. Eight people were wounded and three arrested, he said. Some 1,890 inmates escaped from the Pademba Road central prison after the attackers broke in, according to a situation report that prison officials shared with Reuters on Monday. So far, 23 have returned, it said. In a two-hour raid, the assailants rammed open the main gate with a vehicle after gunfire and a rocket launcher failed to breach prison defences, said Colonel Shek Sulaiman Massaquoi, the acting director general of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service. Inside the prison on Monday, a Reuters reporter saw cell doors broken open or removed entirely, and piles of trash from an ongoing clean-up. The police urged inmates to return to prison in a statement on Monday, and offered the public rewards for details on the whereabouts of escapees or the attackers. Tentative Calm Life returned to Freetown on Monday afternoon as shops and businesses opened after the government reduced an all-day curfew to a nightly one running from 2100-0600 GMT. In a show of a return to normalcy, Bio's X social media account on Monday shared a picture of the president behind his desk in his office saying he was at work. "The task before us is too great and urgent to be derailed by those who seek to truncate the peace and security that we have enjoyed as a country," he said in the post. Sierra Leone, which is still recovering from a 1991-2002 civil war in which more than 50,000 were killed, has been tense since Bio was re-elected in June, a result rejected by the main opposition candidate and questioned by international partners including the United States and the European Union. In August 2022, at least 21 civilians and six police officers were killed in anti-government protests.

Twenty killed in Sierra Leone attack, nearly 2,000 prisoners escape

Sierra Leone's government said it was in full control on Sunday (Nov 26) evening after reporting an attack at a military armoury in the capital Freetown that sparked armed clashes, which the president called an attempt to destabilise the state.

Sierra Leone's government said it was in full control on Sunday (Nov 26) evening after reporting an attack at a military armoury in the capital Freetown that sparked armed clashes, which the president called an attempt to destabilise the state. Authorities in the English-speaking West African country that has been going through a political crisis following elections in June this year -- have declared a national curfew until further notice. President Julius Maada Bio said late Sunday that calm had been restored after what he described as an attempt to undermine peace and stability in the country. "Most of the leaders have been arrested. Security operations and investigations are ongoing," Bio said on national television, adding that the government would "ensure that those responsible are held accountable". An AFP journalist said calm was slowly returning to the capital by Sunday evening, but checkpoints heavily guarded by security forces remained in place. The "government is in firm control of the security situation in Freetown, the attackers are retreating," information minister Chernor Bah earlier told AFP. Videos posted on social media appeared to show men in uniform under arrest in the back or beside a military pick-up truck. Earlier in the day, witnesses told AFP they heard gunshots and explosions in the city's Wilberforce district, where the armoury and some embassies are located. Other witnesses reported exchanges of fire near a barracks in Murray Town district, home to the navy, and outside another military site in Freetown. The information ministry reported attacks on prisons earlier in the day that obliged the security forces to retreat. "The prisons were thus overrun" with some detainees released and others "abducted", it said. Video posted on social networks suggested numerous prisoners had escaped from the central jail. One man who was in a group filmed on the street by an AFP correspondent said they had escaped from the prison. The information ministry said security forces had pushed the attackers to the outskirts of Freetown, with drone video taken by AFP showing empty streets in the capital. The situation remained unclear with the authorities making no comments on the motives or identity of the attackers. Also read | Sierra Leone under curfew after military armoury attacked 'Like a war' President Bio wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the government would "continue to protect the peace and security of Sierra Leone against the forces that wish to truncate our much-cherished stability". "We remain resolute in our determination to protect democracy in Sierra Leone." Regional bloc the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has contended with a series of coups among its members since 2020, issued a statement underlining "its zero-tolerance for unconstitutional change of government". Echoing language used to condemn past coup attempts, ECOWAS spoke of its "utter disgust" over a "plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order". The US embassy condemned on social media the bid to break into the armoury and offered continued support for those "working for a peaceful, democratic, healthy and prosperous Sierra Leone". The European Union's local representation expressed concern and called for the respect of constitutional order. Witness Susan Kargbo told AFP by telephone she was woken "by a loud sound of heavy machine gun (fire) and bombs coming from the Wilberforce barracks around 4:30 am. "I was shocked and... the gunshots continued until this morning, it was like a war," she said. Attackers 'repelled' The government said those attempting to break into the armoury had been repelled but asked the public to stay at home while security operations continued. The local representations of the UK and the European Union echoed the authorities' advice to stay at home. The civil aviation authority said Sierra Leone's airspace remained open but asked airlines to reschedule their flights after the lifting of the curfew. President Bio, who was first elected in 2018, was re-elected in June with 56.17 per cent of the vote -- just over the 55 per cent needed to avoid a run-off. International observers condemned inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in the count, as well as acts of violence and intimidation. The main opposition All People's Congress (APC) party disputed the results of the presidential, legislative and local elections on June 24 and boycotted all levels of government. The APC and the government signed an agreement in October following talks mediated by the Commonwealth, the African Union and ECOWAS. The APC agreed to end its boycott and begin participating in government in exchange for an end to detentions and court cases it said were politically motivated.

Sierra Leone: Calm restored after gunmen attack military barracks, claims president

A woman was killed in Sierra Leone by the police who reportedly fired shots and tear gas at the main opposition party headquarters in the capital Freetown while they were awaiting the results of the recently-concluded elections. The victim was later identified as a nurse and party volunteer who was reported to be severely wounded, on Sunday.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened on Sunday?</h2>

The West African nation recently conducted its presidential election where incumbent President Julius Maada Bio, was reelected on Tuesday. However, the count has been disputed by the opposition.&nbsp;

The incident took place, on Sunday, the opposition’s presidential candidate Samura Kamara of All People’s Congress (APC)&nbsp;in a series of tweets said that his party headquarters has been surrounded by the military and live bullets had been fired at his office.&nbsp;

“I have been barricaded in my APC party headquarters during my live press conference. Live bullets and teargas fired at my offices by government forces,” said the APC presidential candidate.&nbsp; 
 
“People laying on the floor and the military has surrounded the building,” said Kamara, in a separate tweet. He added, “Live bullets fired at my private office at the Party headquarters. This is an assassination attempt.”

The party HQ in the capital city of Freetown was reportedly surrounded by police officers and the presidential guard during a post-election press conference. Kamara also said that “foreign journalists trapped in my office.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Live from my party office. People laying on the floor and the military has surrounded the building. Live bullets fired at my private office at the Part headquarters. This is an assassination attempt. <a href="https://twitter.com/UKinSierraLeone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UKinSierraLeone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_AfricanUnion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbFreetown?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USEmbFreetown</a> Live shots at my door. Foreign… <a href="https://t.co/ad21VISNiA">pic.twitter.com/ad21VISNiA</a>
— SamuraKamara2023 (@samurakamara201) <a href="https://twitter.com/samurakamara201/status/1673045382668902402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Reuters, on Sunday, also reported that one woman was found severely wounded around the neck area and was found without a pulse. The news agency also said&nbsp;that the window of the room she was found in, had a “shattered hole the size of a fist.”

According to media reports, around 200 members of the security forces blocked access to the APC’s HQ in Freetown.

“We were just here on a press conference, then the next thing we knew we started hearing firing, and our whole office is surrounded by police and army,” said party spokesperson, Sidi Yaya Tunis, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>She 'died a hero': Victim's son on&nbsp;party volunteer's&nbsp;death</h2>

The woman was later identified as 64-year-old Hawa Dumbuya, who was a nurse and party volunteer, was found to be shot in the head, reported the Guardian.

Dumbuya’s 26-year-old son, Ibrahim Conceh, said that his mother “died a hero for me,” as quoted by the British media report.&nbsp;

He added, “She died for a righteous cause. Until her last breath, she was administering care for injured people. I want the international community to find the killer or the person who ordered such a barbaric act. I want justice.”

According to the Guardian, the 26-year-old who is also a law student has been unable to retrieve his mother’s body since it was taken to the mortuary by police and&nbsp;wishes to bury it in accordance with the Islamic tradition.&nbsp;

“I don’t know the games they are playing,” said Conceh, as quoted by the British media report, adding that he also doesn’t understand “why they want to hold her body.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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A woman was killed in Sierra Leone by the police who reportedly fired shots and tear gas at the main opposition party headquarters in the capital Freetown while they were awaiting the results of the recently-concluded elections.

A woman was killed in Sierra Leone by the police who reportedly fired shots and tear gas at the main opposition party headquarters in the capital Freetown while they were awaiting the results of the recently-concluded elections. The victim was later identified as a nurse and party volunteer who was reported to be severely wounded, on Sunday. What happened on Sunday? The West African nation recently conducted its presidential election where incumbent President Julius Maada Bio, was reelected on Tuesday. However, the count has been disputed by the opposition. The incident took place, on Sunday, the opposition’s presidential candidate Samura Kamara of All People’s Congress (APC) in a series of tweets said that his party headquarters has been surrounded by the military and live bullets had been fired at his office. “I have been barricaded in my APC party headquarters during my live press conference. Live bullets and teargas fired at my offices by government forces,” said the APC presidential candidate. “People laying on the floor and the military has surrounded the building,” said Kamara, in a separate tweet. He added, “Live bullets fired at my private office at the Party headquarters. This is an assassination attempt.” The party HQ in the capital city of Freetown was reportedly surrounded by police officers and the presidential guard during a post-election press conference. Kamara also said that “foreign journalists trapped in my office.” Live from my party office. People laying on the floor and the military has surrounded the building. Live bullets fired at my private office at the Part headquarters. This is an assassination attempt. @UKinSierraLeone @_AfricanUnion @USEmbFreetown Live shots at my door. Foreign… pic.twitter.com/ad21VISNiA — SamuraKamara2023 (@samurakamara201) June 25, 2023 × Reuters, on Sunday, also reported that one woman was found severely wounded around the neck area and was found without a pulse. The news agency also said that the window of the room she was found in, had a “shattered hole the size of a fist.” According to media reports, around 200 members of the security forces blocked access to the APC’s HQ in Freetown. “We were just here on a press conference, then the next thing we knew we started hearing firing, and our whole office is surrounded by police and army,” said party spokesperson, Sidi Yaya Tunis, as quoted by Reuters. She 'died a hero': Victim's son on party volunteer's death The woman was later identified as 64-year-old Hawa Dumbuya, who was a nurse and party volunteer, was found to be shot in the head, reported the Guardian. Dumbuya’s 26-year-old son, Ibrahim Conceh, said that his mother “died a hero for me,” as quoted by the British media report. He added, “She died for a righteous cause. Until her last breath, she was administering care for injured people. I want the international community to find the killer or the person who ordered such a barbaric act. I want justice.” According to the Guardian, the 26-year-old who is also a law student has been unable to retrieve his mother’s body since it was taken to the mortuary by police and wishes to bury it in accordance with the Islamic tradition. “I don’t know the games they are playing,” said Conceh, as quoted by the British media report, adding that he also doesn’t understand “why they want to hold her body.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sierra Leone elections: Woman killed after police fired shots at opposition party HQ

A court in Sierra Leone heard a case on Tuesday regarding a severe breach of security at the country&#39;s biggest airport. A man tried to set fire to an Air France plane after gaining access to the aircraft withour a passport or a boarding card.&nbsp; 
 
Airport officials promised security would be stepped up after Ibrahim Kanu attempted to board the flight armed with petrol, matches and a cigarette lighter on June 24 at Lungi International Airport, close to the capital of Freetown. 
 
The prosecution said Kanu had entered the restricted area reserved for staff and took a bus connecting to the plane, which is believed to have been an Airbus A330-200 headed for Paris. 
 
A British firm, Westminster Group, is contracted to provide security at the airport but has yet to comment publicly. 
 
Kanu&#39;s bail application was rejected on Tuesday on the grounds that he was a flight risk. He was accused of &quot;a very serious criminal offence&quot;. 
 
General Manager of the Airport Authority Idrissa Fofanah told journalists that security surveillance had been stepped up following the incident. 
 
(AFP)

A man without a passport or a boarding pass tried to get on the flight while carrying petrol, matches and a cigarette lighter

A court in Sierra Leone heard a case on Tuesday regarding a severe breach of security at the country's biggest airport. A man tried to set fire to an Air France plane after gaining access to the aircraft withour a passport or a boarding card. Airport officials promised security would be stepped up after Ibrahim Kanu attempted to board the flight armed with petrol, matches and a cigarette lighter on June 24 at Lungi International Airport, close to the capital of Freetown. The prosecution said Kanu had entered the restricted area reserved for staff and took a bus connecting to the plane, which is believed to have been an Airbus A330-200 headed for Paris. A British firm, Westminster Group, is contracted to provide security at the airport but has yet to comment publicly. Kanu's bail application was rejected on Tuesday on the grounds that he was a flight risk. He was accused of "a very serious criminal offence". General Manager of the Airport Authority Idrissa Fofanah told journalists that security surveillance had been stepped up following the incident. (AFP)

Sierra Leone man tries setting plane on fire

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