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'Armed Robbers' Attack Military Base

The Independent (Freetown)
NEWS
September 15, 2004
Posted to the web September 15, 2004
Freetown
Armed robbery is rising at an alarming rate in the West African state of Sierra
Leone.
At about 2:02 GMT on September 12, residents of Kabala in the north of Sierra
Leone, 182 miles from the capital Freetown, were rudely woken up by sounds of
sporadic gun shots all over the township.
"They sent frustrating chills down their spine especially those who had gone to
participate in the SLPP District Convention which took place later in the
afternoon. People thought that it was another attack from unwanted visitors",
said Mohamed Konte a resident of Kabala.
Our Kabala correspondent had several interviews with the authorities and was
able to come up with something. When he contacted the Kabala Police Station,
Inspector Joe Edward Gbenie of Crime Division described the incident as
"unfortunate". He said, "It made people to run away to the mountains because
they thought it was another attack by rebels", adding: "Some people only came
back to their homes in the morning". The country had been ravaged by an eleven
years war and is presently on the road to recovery. The Inspector of the Sierra
Leone Police, however, pointed out that the sporadic firing heard between 2:02
am to 3:30am in the early morning hours of September 12 was the handiwork of
armed robbers who attacked the International Military Advisory Technical
Training (IMATT) team base hopefully to become rich overnight. IMATT comprises
mainly British and some Canadians and other European military experts who are
training and giving technical support to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed
Forces in post-war era. The Police Inspector revealed that a private soldier
with number 18176776 called Foday Yansaneh was on guard at the house that came
udder attack. Private Yansanneh told the Police that the robbers were armed to
the teeth with automatic rifles and went to the base with a white pick-up
truck. He said they opened fire and demanded a satellite phone and generator.
"Fortunatel, Yansanneh, said, "the IMATT guys had taken the generator and
satellite phone to Freetown long ago". He added: "They broke into the house and
stole one packet of shotgun cartridges, some provisions and left".
The Inspector displayed to our correspondent the evidence discovered on the
crime scene: 37 empty shells and 5 live rounds, all SLR cartridges.
Our correspondent also spoke with the Local Unit Commander 'G' Division Mr.
Ahmed Kandeh. He who was quick to note that it was extremely premature to
embark on a "naming ceremony" at this stage of the investigations. He
nevertheless assured that things were under control and that matter was under
very "active investigation". "When I heard the first shot I sent my men around
the entire town to make sure we had first hand information on what's going on.
I also went to the military base and had fruitful discussions with the
Commanding Officer who cooperated very well by giving me some men who were with
me until 6:30am," Mr. Kandeh said. He concluded by confidently saying "We are
working relentlessly to bring the culprits to book."
Our correspondent said he also went to the crime scene and interviewed the
Guard, RSLAF 18176776 private Foday Yansanneh, himself. Yansanneh intimated
that a deluge of gunshots from unknown attacks woke him. "They asked for the
generator and satellite phone but I told them they were not here. They broke
into the house and took some provisions. They all wore civilian cloths with
their faces hooded." He further revealed that he returned fire and cannot say
how much shots he fired. Ironically though, Private Yansanneh was issued a 40
rounds magazine but had only 3 live rounds left after the shoot -out. There
were 37 empty shells at the police station. Police say the investigation
continues.

   

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