The people of Makneh village in Bombali-Sharray Chiefdom in Bombali District were awakened by a very vicious attack from unknown people who descended on the community at night, breaking into homes and carted away every property they could lay hands on.
The attack, reports say, was led by the Paramount Chief-elect of Bombal-Sharray, PC Othoraneh formerly Daniel Raymond Kamara aka Opinto.
According to our sources, the students of the village had organized a disco dance at night after a successful sports meet. Allegedly, whilst the dance was in progress, PC Othoraneh allegedly came to the scene with his men and called for its abrupt halt, arguing that he was not informed about the show. After the altercation and people have gone to sleep, the Chief allegedly returned to the village that same night, with large number of hooligans from Kontha armed with sticks, stones, machetes, etc and put the entire village under siege amidst obscene languages. In the massive melee, several buildings including schools, clinics were destroyed. The attackers did not even spare mosques, churches, and clinics as all windows and doors of those edifices were destroyed. The house of the only blacksmith in the village was burnt down to ashes. “Makneh village children are presently not attending school” our sources said noting that, every chair, desk and table in the schools have been destroyed, whilst education materials carted away. “Some of the attackers whom we can identify as civilians were dressed in police uniforms during the raid” sources say.
Reportedly, all those who were identified and arrested for the incident by the police have all been released on the order of AIG North-East, Monfred Williams who treats the matter with sheer levity. It further alleged that, the vehicle of the Regent Chief of Bombali Sebora, Foday Conteh was used to transport the attackers at night.
When this medium contacted PC Othoraneh stated that a Paramount Chief cannot lead an attack. He continued that, they are working to resolve the matter amicably.
