As Al-Shabab threat looms IG appeals to Sierra Leoneans
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Joseph Bandabla Dauda (in photo), has reflected the minds of the general public to the recent attacks by terrorists in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Addressing Journalists yesterday at the weekly press briefing held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Minister stated that Sierra Leone has troops in Somalia and that hearing of such attacks will send fear into the hearts of Sierra Leoneans, who feel that the country is very vulnerable.
He assured Sierra Leoneans that the security forces are in full control of the security situation in the country and that there is no need to alarm.
He explained that Sierra Leone decided to send troops to Somalia to fulfill their international commitment as a member of the United Nations Organisation.
He stated that one of the advantages that the country has gained by sending troops to Somalia is that it has exposed our troops to international operations and experiences. He emphasized that Government is very firm about security matters. He concluded that ensuring peace and security in the country should be the concern of every citizen.
In his statement, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Francis Alieu Munu, said he recalled that during this nation’s eleven year civil conflict, the United Nations sent 17,500 troops here, which he said was the largest UN peace keeping force in the world. He said it was significant that today Sierra Leone is exporting peace keepers to Somalia, South Sudan, the Darfur region and Haiti.
He condemned the message sent by the Al-Shabab terrorists that all countries they were going to attack all countries that have sent troops to Somalia, describing their utterances as mere propaganda meant to send shock waves in the minds of the people. He maintained that it was the duty of every Sierra Leonean to be very security conscious and to do something for the continuous safety of the nation.
He further described Sierra Leone as the safest and lowest crime rate country in the world and emphasized the need to take the necessary action and ensure that these assurances are translated into reality.
Mr. Munu revealed that the security apparatus will be deploying security scanners in strategic places to ensure that they take note of the movements and activities of people on a twenty four hour basis.
He cited government buildings, companies, banks, market places, learning institutions and recreational places as some of the places that they will prioritise in this exercise.
He appealed to all Sierra Leoneans to report all suspicious characters and movements to the nearest Police Station.
By Abdulai Mento Kamara
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