The Police Spokesman Assistant Commissioner Brima Kamara has on Wednesday June 14, 2023 confirmed the arrest and detention of one hundred suspects who he said took part in Tuesday’s illegal protest. Of this number 86 are from Freetown and Waterloo and 14 in Makeni.
He cited the Public Order Act which does ‘not allow unlawful assembly.
He said the suspects were arrested for unlawful assembly and inciting people to join the unlawful protest. He said the law makes provision for people to seek clearance from Police Headquarters if they want to protest which he noted they did not do.
Kamara disclosed that the government has invoked the Military Aid to Civil Power (MAC-P) since August 2022, which paved the way for joint border patrols (Police and Military), the provision of joint security to the President, Vice President and first family.
He said they have Standing and Emergency MAC-P, adding that Standing MAC-P has. Long been invoked, while Emergency MAC-P comes up when the police is overwhelmed.
He cited Section 6 (2B) of the 1991 constitution which mandates the government to provide security and welfare for the people. He said government passed that responsibility to police which they are executing. He said people will continue to see the high presence of military and police officers on the streets until after the elections.