Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The family of Emmanuel Ngaujah, a resident of the Resettlement Community in Koidu City, is alleging that police brutality led to his death following his arrest near the former Koidu Limited Mining Company concession.
Police officials have confirmed his death in custody and are investigating the circumstances, offering the family Le 1,500 and a bag of rice as a gesture of condolence.
Emmanuel’s father, Gbama Ngaujah, stated his son left home on Thursday, July 24, 2025, for agricultural work. By Sunday, July 27, Emmanuel’s wife informed Gbama he had not returned. The following morning, Gbama was told by Koidu residents that his son had died.
Upon identifying Emmanuel’s body at the Koidu Government Hospital mortuary, Gbama observed visible blood on his son’s face and head, prompting him to suspect foul play. He filed a formal statement at the Tankoro Police Station.
Gbama Ngaujah rejected initial suggestions that his son died from illness, citing visible injuries, including bruises and bleeding, as evidence of a violent death. While a local doctor conducted a brief examination, a full post-mortem was later ordered by Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu. The autopsy, conducted in Freetown, reportedly revealed severe trauma, including fractures to the spinal cord, ribs, and backbone.
Chief Superintendent Augustine Kamara, the Local Unit Commander of the Tankoro Police Division, confirmed Emmanuel’s arrest on July 20, 2025, alongside three other individuals on suspicion of stealing property from the mining concession. Kamara stated that while the other suspects remained in custody, Emmanuel complained of feeling unwell and was taken to the hospital, where he subsequently died.
Superintendent Kamara described the incident as “very unfortunate” and assured a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of death. He revealed that one detained officer admitted to handing Emmanuel over to a colleague and acknowledged that physical force may have been used.
The police reportedly provided the bereaved family with Le 1,500 and a bag of rice as a gesture of condolence, emphasizing it was not an admission of guilt.
This incident has reignited concerns over policing practices in Kono District. Koidu has a history of tension between civilians and security forces, with previous fatal incidents recorded during protests in 2007 and 2012 related to diamond mining activities.
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