Abdulai Sidibay a prominent diamond dealer in Kono has been accused of mobilizing miners to brandish mining implements, sending shock waves through the streets of Koidu last Tuesday.
According to a dispatch from our correspondent, it all started when it was alleged that Sidibay went to a mining site and mobilised youths under his control to go on the rampage in the township causing panic among the residents.
The miners, reportedly numbering up to 500 are alleged to have taken to the streets brandishing a variety of mining implements including machetes and chanting war songs coupled with abusive languages at political opponents.
The dispatch also stated that the demonstration created panic as people started running all over the township.
Phillip Kargbo, the election officer who witnessed the drama unfolding was reported to have alerted the police, who came to the scene at Opera a bit late, but were however able to successfully calm the situation.
Now tongues are wagging that a possible source of conflict which may likely ignite trouble before the polls is the adjacent political camps which have been set-up by both the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party (SLPP) and the All Peoples’ Party (APC) supporters.
Most people our correspondent spoke to are of the opinion that these two camps should be clearly separated or else they foresee trouble brewing before polling day on August 11.
ADVERTISEMENT