A senior member of the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) Major Musa Bangura has expressed frustration over the British military personnel for putting his life at stake during the course of dislodging the ‘Westside Boys’ at Okra Hill in September,2000.
Speaking to AWOKO about his bitter experience at west side, Major Bangura recalled that, he was attached to the British Army operating in Sierra Leone then for nearly two years. His service he said was utilized to generate vital information about the ‘Westside boys’ at Okra hill.
He said, he was manipulated by the British Army into the Westside jungle where he was arrested and subjected to serious physical torture before he was abandoned in a pit where the west side boys used to defecate and urinate.
“Even though I was rendering a selfless service to liberate my country, I was embittered with the type of ill treatment meted out to me whilst the British were in safe haven but ended up taking accolade for everything” he said.
“I was even fed with shit and urine for over two weeks (from August 25th to September 10th 2000)”.
While I am currently languishing in pain as a result of liver and kidney related problems Major Bangura noted the British soldiers are using his photo on films and documentary to make money without remitting a single cent to him.
“Even though my mission to dislocate the ‘Westside Boys’ was successful, nobody including the British and government, seems to appreciate my selfless effort” the major lamented.
He explained that he has made several representations to government with regards to his health and welfare but little or no attention had been given to him.
He concluded that, he was on a pay roll in the Sierra Leone Army, but noted that his salary was nothing to write home about, as it is not enough to take care of his medical let alone his welfare and other family commitments.