Concord Times (Freetown)
Mariama Kandeh
29 January 2007
Freetown — Abu Bakarr Sillah, a taxi driver was allegedly roasted alive in the early hours of Saturday by a police patrol team at Cole Farm, west of Freetown.
Reports indicated that Sillah was refueling his car when the police team halted him.
"Sillah tried to plead with the police saying he is the driver of the car but the police refused to listen to him," an eyewitness, Rebecca Davies recounted.
According to her, one of the police scolded Sillah which resulted to a scuffle that lasted for about 30 minutes.
Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of support and operations, Morie Lengor disclosed to Concord Times that Police Constable 8085 Turay of Congo Cross police station was also roasted in the clash that ensued.
"At around 6am the Congo Cross police station received information from a concerned citizen on the illicit petroleum deal at Coal Farm. Considering the spate of fire accidents in recent months, the police responded immediately by going to the area," he explained.
He continued, "when the police arrived they caught Abu Bakarr Sillah with a five gallon container filled with petrol. They attempted to arrest him but he resisted and threatened to cause havoc if they dare touched him." Lengor claimed that while Sillah was struggling with the police he sparked out a cigarette lighter which caused the accident.
"That was how Sillah and one of the police officers who went to arrest him got seriously burnt. They are presently hospitalized and we have arrested twenty people in connection to the incident," he narrated.
The police boss explained that after the incident hoodlums in the area who claimed that the police had deliberately put fire on a driver attacked the police.
On the question of whether live bullets were fired, Lengor said, "we are investigating that aspect of the allegation too. They merely used tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd." He dismissed reports on the radios that people were shot at, adding that they are not aware of anyone who sustained an injury.
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