Osman Koroma Narrowly Escapes Elimination By Security Forces
In the aftermath of the attempted coup of 26th November 2023, Osman Koroma, a popular opposition party operative narrowly escaped death at the hands of security forces claiming to be going after suspected covert operators.
According to sources in Makeni, northern Sierra Leone, the stronghold of the main opposition party, APC, the government is claiming that they are behind the said attempted coup, as a result known and popular figures of the party have become targets for elimination. Several young supporters and sympathizers of the party have been targeted, some shot in their homes, while others arrested and taken to unknown holding centres.
Family members of Osman 18 explained to this medium that following the said coup attempt, scores of armed police and military personnel raided premises in Makeni, forcefully breaking down doors and shooting down young male occupants, believed to be supporters of the opposition party. They maintained that as the forces approached their residence, they opened fire at the house, which led many of them to run into the nearby bush to save themselves.
Osman Koroma is said to have been among those escaping from the firing into the bush. It was further disclosed that after entering the bush they were pursued by the security plans, who shot at any moving object. This then resulted in everybody seeking any escape route from their assailants, resulting in their inabilities to stay together.
However, residents in the area say that after Osman and other family members left their house, the security forces manhandled the female occupants, beating and raping some of them. They disclosed that the security plans were asking for Osman, and when they could not find him, they then committed all the atrocities, threatening to come back for him. They accused him of being a part of the operations of the coup, alleging that he harbored some of the wanted suspects that are now at large.
Sources in the main opposition party say that despite there being no proof of their involvement in the said coup, their members have been targeted, including the former President, who is now retired and lives in Makeni, his home town. The party claims that some of their members have gone into hiding, for fear of being killed under the guise of resisting arrest.
Residents in the area say that since Osman Koroma and others escaped into the bush, he has not returned, and his whereabouts are still unknown. As we go to press, the police has declared Osman Koroma and a host of others (mainly from the northern stronghold of the main opposition party) wanted.