By: Joseph Benard Kanu

A series of violent confrontations erupted in the northern town of Kabala over the weekend as tensions between political factions reached a boiling point. Gibrilla Alex Koroma identified as an activist for the All People’s Congress (APC) was declared a spy for the opposition party by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). The situation escalated dramatically when SLPP youths attacked and burnt down a vicarage where the suspect was believed to be hiding.

Eyewitnesses say Gibrilla, who has identified himself publicly as an “activist,” was seen entering the vicarage earlier in the evening on Saturday 30th September 2023 allegedly seeking refuge. The vicarage, a long-standing place of sanctuary in the region, became the center of chaos as the crowd demanded his surrender. When their demands were not met, the group set the building alight in the dead of night. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported from the fire, but the vicarage was completely destroyed.

Mustapha narrowly escaped the inferno, according to local sources, and his current whereabouts remain unknown. He has since been declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police for questioning in connection with recent political unrest.

This incident follows a string of troubling events linked to Gibrilla. He was previously arrested in Freetown following a violent clash at the APC party headquarters, which was raided by security forces earlier this month. During that operation, a nurse was tragically killed, and the APC Presidential candidate, Dr. Samura Kamara, was temporarily trapped inside the building with several supporters before being escorted to safety.

Gibrilla was released under unclear circumstances after the Freetown raid, but sources say several of his associates were killed during the confrontation. His abrupt move to Kabala raised suspicions, culminating in the night’s violent mob.