‘My area of responsibility is peaceful’ – AIG. North

Assistant Inspector General of Police North, Christopher John, Friday told Awoko that security situation in his area of command was peaceful irrespective of some political discontents among party supporters in Makeni about the way political parties awarded symbols to candidates for the upcoming local council elections. Christopher John revealed that as a force they were faced with the challenge of providing the required security for the people in the northern region but that with the cooperation of community people they were bound to succeed.
Asked about the current situation along the country’s borders with Guinea, he revealed that the police had been able to get a cordial relationship with officers on the Guinean side and that “there is good cross-border relationship between Sierra Leone and Guinea”. 
Christopher John maintained that as a result of this good cross-border relationship with Guinea, “we are not expecting any threat although French-speaking Africans are sometimes hostile to English-speaking Africans”.
On what has been his preparation for the pending local council elections in his area of command the AIG North stated that, “we would treat all political parties equally”,
The AIG North said he and his officers in the north maintained their neutrality during political moments but that, “officers too would have to exercise their franchise come elections but should not be seen taking sides”.
Commenting on the recent riotous conduct by youths in Kono, Christopher John said youths took to the streets when access to a huge pile of sand suspected to contain diamonds and had been promised them by a politician, was refused them.
Asked about his general expectations from the people in the north, Christopher John said he expected people to work with the police to fight against crime “as the force is now laying emphasis on community policing”.
Christopher John, as Assistant Inspector of Police, north, is primarily responsible for Kambia, Port Loko, Bombali, Tonkolili and Koinadugu districts.
By John Baimba Sesay