The Government of President Julius Maada Bio remains unclear as to the reason behind the over nine hour’s gun bout that took place on Sunday between the military and some unknown armed individuals.
It was reported that the unknown individuals broke into an Amory in one of the country’s main military barracks close to the presidential lodge at Hill Station.
In various interviews on the international media-BBC and VOA,the Minister of Information and Civic Education,Chernor Bah, emphasised that government was yet to determine whether the attack that placed the capital under a standstill, was an attempted coup or not.
Chernor Bah noted that the situation remains volatile and that government was awaiting the outcome of an investigation being undertaken by the country’s security apparatus to elaborate further on the issue.
Although the minister couldn’t indicate the number of people arrested in relation to the issue, but unconfirmed reports are that 24 individuals have been arrested including ex-military officers and serving personnel.
In his address to the nation, President Julius Maada Bio informed the public that some of the leaders of the Sunday attack have been arrested and that the law will take it full force on those arrested.
In a rather reconciliatory tone, President Bio reechoed the importance of national unity.
“Fellow Sierra Leoneans, in times like these, we are reminded of the importance of national unity. Let us not succumb to fear or division. Let us come together as one people, one nation. Our strength lies in our unity, and it is through solidarity that we can overcome challenges that come our way,” he urged.
In his quest to strictly observe the outcome of the just concluded peace dialogue with the opposition, President Bio stated that “I call on all political leaders, traditional leaders, civil society, and citizens across Sierra Leone to continue working to preserve the peace of our nation.
He assured the nation that “As your Commander in Chief, I want to assure everybody who is resident in Sierra Leone that we have overcome this challenge, and together, we will continue on the path of progress and development.
While no official casualty has been reported, but social media was awashed with dead bodies of some military personnel and individuals suspected to be the armed attackers.
