For subversion, incitement, and arson…..  Government declares Samba Sow wanted

By Alfred Batilo Songa

Information gathered by this newspaper indicates that Mr. Samba Sow, formerly of 39 Kissy Bye Pass Road, Kissy in the east of Freetown, is on the run, fearing for the safety of his life after he was declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police on the allegations that he was engaged in subversive activities, incitement, and arson.

According to a Police source, Samba Sow was a very active member of the organisers and executors of the violent uprisings on 10 August, 2022 in Freetown, Waterloo, Makeni, Port Loko, and other areas in the country which resulted in the deaths of scores of innocent citizens

as well as six Police Officers, violent rape of women, and the burning down of houses and vehicles, as well as the wanton looting and destruction of homes, shops, and warehouses, especially in Freetown and Waterloo where the skirmishes were very intense.

A source who this Reporter spoke to disclosed that Samba was being pursued by the members of the Task Force of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), because of his political activities as a member of the main opposition All Peoples Congres (APC).

He explained that Samba, who was the Organising Secretary for Constituency 120, was very active in organising rallies and protests against the Government with the aim of overthrowing the Government by the use of force.

He explained that as a leader in his party, Samba used to travel all over the country, mobilising, organising and inciting young people to rise up and overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by illegal means including the use of force.

He stated that some time in May 2022, Samba was involved in inciting some young people in Freetown who went on the streets and attacked Government people and the Police and destroyed Government property, an action that led to bloody confrontations between members of the APC and SLPP resulting in the deaths of four people and scores of injuries and massive destruction of properties.

He further explained in order to evade arrest and prosecution, Samba then went into hiding.

He explained that for these reasons, the Police have declared him wanted, and the search for him is going on throughout the country.

When this Reporter requested for him to lead him him to Samba for an interview, he stated that he did not know his whereabouts as after he was declared wanted by the Police in late August this year 2022, he disappeared from the community and had neither been seen nor heard from since.

He also disclosed that late one night, Samba’s family house was set on fire in which his younger sister, Aminata Sow, died, while the rest of his family fled from the community.

He also stated that unidentified armed people continue to visit the community, asking for Samba, threatening that they will kill him the day they see him.

When this Reporter contacted the Kissy Police Station on the matter, a senior Police Officer told him that they are looking for one Samba Sow who is alleged to have been involved subversive and inciting activities against the Government, as well as for the burning down of houses and destruction of other properties.

He revealed that while they are investigating the matter, they have put a reward of twenty million Leones (Le 20, 000,000.00) for anybody who will give them information that will lead to his arrest.