Police Declares Umarr Daramy Wanted

According to sources close to the investigating Committee set up by the government to look into the causes of the August 10th  2022 Riots, several names came up of some youths, believed to be opposition party sympathisers, and are being sought after, among whom is Umarr Daramy.

According to our source, Umarr is accused of being among the youths who threw stones at the police during the riot, when they entered his area. It was further revealed that information about his involvement came to the fore after the Committee embarked on a fact-finding mission. There, they were informed by some youths that Umarr’s Father was a staunch member of the main opposition party (APC), and his entire family openly supported the party. The Committee confirmed the death of Umarr’s father, but stopped short of explaining how he died. The Committee is said to have included the name of Umarr in the list of wanted persons to be looked for.

However, on the 15th this medium visited the area of Umarr and learnt that Umarr had left the house early in the morning, as was his usual routine, to fend for the family. It was also disclosed that during the riot, when news of the killing of police officers by some youths in the city, as well as burning of government buses and breaking of police cells, armed security guards stormed the streets of the city, firing live bullets and tear gas canisters. Some 35 civilians were shot dead, among whom was Umarr’s father. Eye witnesses explained that a combined force of police and military stormed the residence of Umarr and shot his father in his house, but Umarr was not around.

A close friend of Umarr, who spoke to this medium on basis of anonymity, said that Umarr called him on his phone, enquiring about news that his father had been killed and that his mother had advised him not to return home. His friend furthered that he confirmed to Umarr that the news was true and also advised him not to return to the house, as the police and ruling party youths were looking for him. Information from other parts of the city and from the northern stronghold of the main opposition party, Makeni, also confirmed several deaths of unarmed civilians.

During a BBC interview with the President of Sierra Leone, he described the protesters as terrorists backed by the main opposition party (APC). But calls by Civil Society Organizations and other concerned citizens resulted in the setting up of the Investigation Committee. Investigation by the Committee seemed to be dragging its feet.

Relatives of Umarr maintained that they have been constantly harassed by the security forces and their homes raided severally in search of Umarr, as well as threats to their lives if they are discovered to be hiding him. As we go to press, Umarr is still on the run and his whereabouts are unknown. Police sources say that they are still looking for Umarr and will stop at nothing until he is found, and have declared him wanted.