By Gibao Brima

It is always said that institutions are not made by themselves and once created, it is the responsibility of people with vision and wits to make them become viable.

This is in connection with the proactive and visionary leadership the newly transferred Local Unit Commander to the Waterloo police Division, Superintendent Bankole Mansaray has demonstrated. He has waged an all-out war on criminal activities including frequent raids on kush cartels and related drug hideouts particularly in slums areas within Tombo junction and other communities that have become bases for drug addicts and criminal gangs. Makeshift structures believed to be used by these criminals have entirely destroyed by the operations team of enthusiastic hardworking and committed personnel led by the LUC himself.

These raids have made business people and local residents in Waterloo community become very joyous as crime rate is gradually and steadily reducing.

Talking to this reporter, a businessman Mr. Koroma expressed thanks and appreciation to the new Local Unit Commander and team for a job well done and urged them to continue the operation.

Mr. Koroma said the kush boys have been putting them in constant fear especially within Tombo junction, Bassa Town and other hard to reach areas by the police, but the pace at which the raid is going on will help to put these drugs and criminal gangs on their toes and will help them carry on their businesses without fear.

They also expressed delight for the ongoing operation, because they said they often offload their vegetables late at night and most times, they fall prey to these criminals who snatch away their money and other valuables.

They appealed to the police commander to continue the raids especially at night to put these drugs and criminal gangs at bay.

In a snap interview with Superintendent Bankole Mansaray, the reason for this operation followed a feasibility study he did together with his able team of officers since he believe in team work who found that criminal activities was rife in that area.

“I came to understand that Waterloo is an epicenter for drugs more especially kush and related criminal activities which were hindering people to do their businesses freely. I therefore deemed it necessary to institute both day and night patrols and more especially looking at the time these poor vegetable sellers come with their goods to the market.

Most times they are being attacked by criminals who cart away their money and valuables. Looking at all these problems, and given that police are duty bound to protect lives and property and to provide a safe environment for people to carry on their business unhindered, I decided to embark on this operation with every seriousness it deserves,” the LUC stressed.

Dilating further, Superintendent Bankole Mansaray said they are not going to relent with their operation to make sure that people in Waterloo live and sleep in a peace.

He however called on the locals to always provide the police with relevant information that will help them carry out their duty effectively.

“Do not hide criminals, if you do, they will make your community unsafe and ungovernable. Please have no space to keep these criminals,” the LUC appealed in conclusion.