by Alimamy Conteh
Mohamed Kanu, a proud Freetown native and a dedicated supporter of the All People’s Congress (APC) party, says he’s been forced to flee his home after the violent anti-government protest on August 10, 2022, which tragically claimed many lives, including those of his nephew and girlfriend.
Reflecting on his harrowing experience, Kanu, who lived in Waterloo in the Western Rural District, described how the protest erupted in the early morning, waking him up to the sounds of chants and chaos outside.
“I saw people with signs saying, ‘We are dying of starvation’ and ‘Maada Must Go.’ I quickly alerted my nephew, Abubakarr Kanu, and my girlfriend, Precious Williams, about what was happening outside,” he shared.
Kanu noted that the protest had spread across the nation, with social media inundated with shocking videos and images from various locations. “I witnessed scenes of devastation. Both civilians and security forces were reportedly killed. I was filled with fear — not just for myself, but for my family,” he recounted.
Living close to the main highway, Kanu attempted to secure his home to avoid getting caught up in the turmoil. But before he could even lock the gate, terrified protesters burst into his yard, fleeing from armed security personnel.
Shortly after, officers believed to be from the Operations Support Division (OSD) of the Sierra Leone Police stormed his compound in pursuit of the escaping demonstrators. What happened next, Kanu claims, was a horrific clash that ended in tragedy.
“Live bullets were fired. More than 20 protesters were killed right in my compound,” Kanu asserted. “My nephew Abubakarr and girlfriend Precious were also shot dead. I managed to escape by climbing over the fence and running into the neighborhood.”
Kanu went on to claim that his house was later set on fire by people he described as operatives and thugs associated with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), who accused him of being sympathetic to the APC.
“I got threats saying I would be killed and my body would be fed to dogs,” he recounted. Terrified for his life, he took off into the bush on August 11.
To make matters worse, a police press release the next day labeled Kanu as a wanted man, which he called “devastating and unjust.”
With help from a friend, Peter Conteh, Kanu managed to cross into Guinea on August 15. Sadly, just a few days later, he found out that Conteh had been killed — reportedly by SLPP-linked operatives who had been tipped off about his involvement in Kanu’s escape.
“I can’t go back to Sierra Leone,” Kanu expressed. “If I do, I’m afraid I’ll meet the same fate as my friend Peter.”
As of now, the Sierra Leonean authorities have not publicly addressed Kanu’s allegations. The protest on August 10, which was officially deemed unlawful, stands out as one of the most violent in recent memory, with many civilian and police casualties reported.
