As an eerie calm returned to Freetown on Thursday, residents said stores remained closed and people stayed in out of fear of unrest. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) including other security agents have released a preliminary report on the destruction of property and loss of lives by violent protests that hit parts of Freetown and other parts of the country on August 10, 2022.
In summary, Four Police Officers were across the country ; Four Police Officers were injured nationwide; while 113 suspects were arrested in North-West and North-East regions; dozens of public facilities and private properties were destroyed.
“Following violent protests and demonstrations in parts of the Western Area (Rural and Urban), North-East and North West Regions on Wednesday August 10, 2022, the Media and Public Relations Department of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is taking the pains to release a preliminary report of available records, in respect of fatalities and injuries sustained by personnel and also government and police property destroyed during the violent protests and demonstrations,” SLP stated.
The protests were concentrated in the opposition’s northern heartland and the capital. Citizens’ frustrations were exacerbated by rising cost of basic goods in the country.