By Gibao Brima

Few months ago, Kenema the eastern regional headquarter was gripped with fear following armed robbery activities within the township leading to the death of catholic priest Augustine Amara sending a shock wave on the township which made people living in far to reach areas including RTI, Borma Three, Four, Bandama, and Dama Road to return home after the day’s activities for fear of being attacked by armed robbers.

However The Sierra Leone Police wasting no time has moved swiftly to put security under control making sanity to on return to the township.

Talking to Africa24 Newspaper about the past ugly development, a group of youth in Bandama said prior to the incident, Kenema had been  very peaceful as they were and still working with the police to ensure their communities are safe. They described the latest armed robbery as a misfortune. Meanwhile, they said they are delighted with the leadership of the newly transferred Local Unit Commander Chief Superintendent Bob Mansaray who they said is not an armed chair Commander. They said since he took over the leadership as Local Unit Commander he and his team have embarked on continued patrol and have destroyed many ghettos possible to be hideouts for criminals. They said LUC Mansaray has engaged and divided the youths into groups in Kenema to make sure they engage and report any illegal activities within their communities. “Forming this neighbourhood watch  is very  important, it will help both we the police and the people of Kenema. This will help your community to be crime free. But if you encourage and harbour criminals your communities will suffer at the hands of the same criminals,” the LUC warned.

In a snap interview with LUC Mansaray, he told the Africa24 Communications Newspaper about the strategies he has introduced to maintain sanity to Kenema. Chief Superintendent Mansaray said the Sierra Leone Police since the end of the eleven years civil war have embarked on community policing strategy involving or engaging civilians at every level in their work. He said the police is at an advanced stage of moving from “Police Force” to “Police Service.” he insisted that they are servants of the people, given that the people are in the majority. LUC Mansaray admitted that the Police cannot succeed without the people behind, considering the fact that they know their communities better. The LUC furthered that when he took over as commander in Kenema, his first strategy was to divide the city into zones with chairmen to help coordinate with the police in fighting crime. “Furthermore, I and my team have embarked on regular day and night patrols reaching hard to reach areas,” he added.

He thanked the youths for their continued work with the police and all stakeholders, which he said is yielding the desired result.

He called on the people not take the police to be their enemies but their friends who he said always stand for them rain or shine, noting that the leadership of the police under Inspector General of police William Fayia Sellu is always ready to give them their best. “Do not be afraid to give vital information to the police for fear of being arrested. This is a modern policing ready to give you best in protecting you and your property,” he assured.