Tackling the armed robbery menace in society

When a leader is elected into office, it is with the expectations from those electing him that he will perform by meeting the expectations of people, and in most cases, even though the expectations are numerous, such a leader will do his utmost to ensure some, if not all the challenges are met.

In recent times, efforts have been embarked upon but our national leadership aimed at meeting the expectations of people on a broader perspective but it would appear there is still more to do in that direction. Take for instance, areas that have to do with meeting the basic social needs of the people; it is but a reality that despite the efforts of the government, people have kept saying much has not happened, and this, however, is a sad realty.

In fact one major area that the government of Ernest Koroma is still trying to tackle had to do with the unemployment of youths in the country. There is no need denying the point that there are several unemployed youths in the country. Also when we even attempt to investigate the factors which led to Sierra Leone’s civil war, it is a reality that the rampant rate of unemployment in the country, coupled with  the level of bad governance were major factors leading to the 1991 civil war that lasted for over a decade in Sierra Leone.

Today, the rate of unemployment in the country is still unbearable and this is why the government should still not relent on efforts to ensure, jobs are provided for the youths. Some few months back, then working with the Society for Democratic Initiatives, I wrote in several papers, arguing that until the youths are provided with jobs, there is no way the government could satisfy them as they made up the largest percent of people who went out in 2007 to vote for the APC, and when this percentage is not catered for adequately, it becomes worrying from a political standpoint. This, the APC should note as they approach the 2012 elections.

From a general standpoint, it is a sad realty that when the youths are not employed they are moved into getting involved into some unwarranted activities, like getting into armed robbery which is definitely unacceptable in society, and that is why measures should be put in place to stop that. Let us take a look at the recent spate of armed robbery making headlines, both in the local press and the international media. It is rather unfortunate that we have still not chosen to live as a civilized people.

In the first place, it should be noted that the act of armed robbery will definitely serve as an impediment to getting more investors coming into the country. It has the potential of scaring people from coming into Sierra Leone, a country believed to be the gem of West Africa in terms of doing business, and when that happens, it will also go a long way in undermining the rebranding efforts that has been embarked upon by government.

The spate of armed robbery has become unbearable and very alarming. Those of us living in the East of the capital have our own story to tell, the police force also has it own sad story to tell, as one officer was recently gunned down, allegedly by armed robbers.  And it was timely that the government came out with a statement condemning the act and also announcing measures to be taken, aimed at preventing this barbaric act. However, there are areas of concern as far as the speech from the throne could go.  

The President has demonstrated that he is indeed the Commander-In-Chief of the republic. The  President, Ernest Bai Koroma  recently  in a nationwide radio broadcast  expressed concern over the rate of armed robbery in the country which he said has ‘created a feeling of insecurity that threatens to affect the normal conduct and day to day activities of our citizens’

In recent months, the country has been subjected to a rising spate of armed robbery in both the capital city Freetown and it environs and the Provincial Towns of Bo, Kenema, Makeni and Kono.  On the 5^th October, a Police Constable 8333 David Abu Musa became a victim in the hands of armed robbers as he was reportedly short dead in central Freetown, the country’s capital. For President Koroma, he considered the current situation as being totally unacceptable and that ‘it is my responsibility as President and Commander-in-Chief of this nation to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens wherever they may be’.

The current security situation in the country consequently led to the President  convening  an emergency session of the National Security Council to take immediate steps aimed at putting  an end to ‘these attempts by criminal elements in our society bent on creating a feeling of fear and insecurity among the citizenry’.

Furtherance to that the President has mandated the National Security Council to among other functions;  have a joint military and Police operation which shall be mounted under the Military Aid to Civil Power protocol. This has been signed by the President to take effect from 7pm to 7am everyday until further notice and that any person arrested under this joint operation shall be prosecuted according to the law. I am however concernedd about this aspect of arresting people arrested under this joint operation.  I think there was need for the Presidency to have clearly define  the category of people  who should be arrested at these hours of the day/night, for it is clear that people would be tempted to interpret this aspect to mean, a curfew has been declared when in actual sense it is not so.

He also used the opportunity to warn that any person caught or suspected of causing damage to government property and infrastructure, particularly the NPA transformers and transmission lines or any installation bearing direct impact on the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Plant shall be arrested and severely dealt with.

The issue of armed robbery became alarming in recent weeks, thus leading to allegations among citizens that some security personnel are involved in the act. This has however being denied by the Police leadership in Sierra Leone.  It is also believed that the current political unrest in neighbouring Guinea may have led to the increase in armed robbery in the country. ‘There is the likelihood that some criminal elements have crossed over to Sierra Leone from Guinea due to the political unrest in Guinea, said a senior police office

Meanwhile, I called up a senior police officer to know what they have been doing in this direction.  The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Western Area, Chris Charley spoke that   they are ‘working round the clock to ensure’ the spate of armed robbery is stopped  in the country.  He disclosed that they have added police presence in areas where ‘we never had police officers…’ and that through the local community policing, they have encouraged the local communities to give vital information to the police on armed robbery related issue.

He stated that though they are making tremendous effort, the issue of foreigners being recruited  into the act must not be overlooked but however promised that they will do all what is necessary to ensure people are safe in their homes.  From a holistic point of view, the speech from the Presidency was timely, but I am of the view, it has not come with the expectation of the people.

The menace of armed robbery could be resolved by having a more collaborative effort from within Sierra Leoneans. The local community policing partnership board should be strengthened to ensure they become more active and fully supportive of the police. The concept of community policing should be strengthened, also communities should be educated on the need to supply the police with relevant information which could lead to arrests. Until that is done, we are far from tackling this menace.

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