A cloud of uncertainty and fear continues to hover over Freetown as security forces intensify their manhunt for Albert Tucker, the son of the late Paul Tucker—an inmate who died during the botched jailbreak following the failed coup attempt of November 26, 2023. The Tucker family, residing at 114 Hospital Road, Kissy Dock Yard in the eastern part of the capital, has now been declared wanted by national security forces in connection to what authorities describe as “ongoing state security concerns.”
From Protest to Prison: A Family Under the Radar
The roots of the Tucker family’s current predicament trace back to the August 8–10, 2022 protests, a dark chapter in Sierra Leone’s recent history. Marked by deadly violence and widespread unrest, the protests culminated in a severe government crackdown. Paul Tucker, father of Albert, was among the dozens arrested for allegedly inciting civil disobedience and acts deemed hostile to state authority.
Following his conviction, Paul was serving his sentence until his fatal involvement in the November 2023 attempted prison break, where he reportedly tried to flee amidst gunfire. Security sources say he was one of several inmates shot dead as armed attackers stormed the facility in what officials have characterized as an effort to liberate political detainees and disrupt the state.
Fear and Flight: A Family in Hiding
Since Paul’s death, fear has gripped the Tucker family. Friends and community members describe them as increasingly withdrawn, deeply anxious about being targeted due to their late father’s political associations and violent end. Their fears appear to have intensified when Albert Tucker’s name reportedly surfaced in the course of ongoing security investigations.
Multiple visits by security forces to the family home at Kissy Dock Yard suggest that Albert has become a person of significant interest to law enforcement. Following these visits, Albert allegedly fled, vanishing without a trace. Unconfirmed reports speculate that he may be attempting to cross into neighboring countries in search of asylum or hiding in rural strongholds sympathetic to his father’s political past.
The Sierra Leone Police, while refusing to disclose the specific allegations against Albert Tucker, have confirmed an active investigation is underway. “This is a matter of national security. We are following all credible leads, and we urge the public to report any useful information,” a senior police official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Civil Rights or State Security? Public Divided
The evolving situation has ignited debate across the country. Civil society organizations have expressed growing concern over what they see as an erosion of due process and a trend of punitive actions against family members of individuals previously accused of political crimes.
“There must be a distinction between justice and vengeance,” said Mariama Kallon of the Human Rights Network Sierra Leone. “Guilt by association cannot become the basis for law enforcement. The state must show evidence or release those unfairly targeted.”
However, others argue that in a country still healing from years of political instability, the state must be vigilant. “If individuals, even family members, are found to be connected to plots against national security, they must be held accountable,” countered political analyst, Abdulai Bah.
An Uneasy Calm in Kissy Dock Yard
Back in Kissy Dock Yard, residents are anxious. The once-busy neighborhood is now patrolled more frequently by plainclothes officers, and neighbors are reluctant to speak on record. Some recall the Tuckers as a quiet family; others hint at whispered meetings and suspicious movements in recent months.
As the manhunt stretches into its second week, Albert Tucker’s whereabouts remain unknown. His story—entwined with the tragic arc of political unrest, rebellion, and repression—has become a focal point in Sierra Leone’s ongoing struggle to reconcile national security with civil liberties.
Whether the Tucker family are victims of political persecution or actors in a deeper conspiracy remains to be seen. What is certain is that their flight and the government’s response will have lasting implications on how justice, loyalty, and fear continue to shape Sierra Leone’s democratic journey.
