By: Saidu Jalloh
Sierra Leone Police took decisive action on Sunday, September 30, 2024, at a checkpoint in Hill Station, intercepting a vehicle suspected of carrying kidnappers. Officers, led by District Traffic Officer Regent Alimamy Turay, attempted to stop an unlicensed vehicle for inspection, but the driver refused to comply and fled the scene. A high-speed chase ensued, ultimately concluding at Obama Junction, where the driver and three accomplices abandoned the vehicle and escaped on foot.
Upon searching the abandoned vehicle, police discovered a victim, identified as John Jofe Koroma, bound and gagged in the backseat. His head was covered with a cloth, and he was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention. In his statement to authorities, Mr. Koroma recounted the harrowing experience, explaining that the kidnappers had approached him under the pretense of buying his car and then overpowered him during a test drive.
The investigation is ongoing as police work to apprehend the fleeing suspects. Mr. Koroma reported that the kidnappers were armed with a knife and threatened to harm him if he resisted. The vehicle used in the kidnapping has been seized and is currently held at the police station, underscoring the importance of swift law enforcement actions in ensuring community safety and security.
