FREETOWN, Sept 10 – Sierra Leone is reeling after a string of high-profile crimes, including an armed attack on the head of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) in the country’s south and the killing of a Catholic priest in Kenema. Police have arrested several suspects, but questions over motive and security linger.
The suspects were taken into custody after investigators presented evidence linking them to both incidents, Chief Superintendent Mohamed Kugba Allieu of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit told reporters. Authorities have not disclosed the number of people arrested or their identities, citing ongoing investigations.
Reverend Father Augustine Dauda Amadu, parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Church in Kenema, was found dead in his residence on the night of Aug. 29. Police say intruders broke in through a window before stabbing him to death.
The murder shocked Sierra Leone’s Catholic community. “This is a dark moment for the Church and for the nation,” said a senior priest in Freetown who asked not to be named. “Father Amadu was known for his service to the poor. To die in such a violent way is heartbreaking.”
Religious leaders have called for calm but demanded a swift investigation, warning that violence against clergy undermines social trust in communities where churches and mosques play central roles in education, healthcare, and conflict mediation.
The NASSIT official, whose identity has not been made public by police, was attacked in Sierra Leone’s southern region under circumstances authorities have yet to clarify. Witnesses reported that the assailants appeared organized, though police have not confirmed whether robbery, intimidation, or political motives were behind the assault.
NASSIT, which manages Sierra Leone’s pension funds, is a powerful institution. Past controversies over pension reforms and benefit payments have sparked tension, but investigators have not suggested a direct link between those issues and the attack.
That both cases are being investigated together has fueled speculation. Police sources say forensic evidence and witness statements point to overlapping suspects. However, no clear motive has yet been established.
“This is not random criminality. These were targeted acts,” said a senior police investigator, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are pursuing all leads, including organized networks.”
The attacks come at a time when Sierra Leone is struggling with rising public anxiety over violent crime, particularly in urban and mining regions. Civil society groups say the surge in high-profile cases risks eroding trust in state security institutions.
“People are worried — if a priest can be murdered in his rectory and a senior government official attacked, what does that mean for ordinary citizens?” asked Josephine Kallon, a rights activist in Kenema.
Analysts note that Sierra Leone has largely avoided the extremist violence seen in other parts of West Africa, but warn that economic hardship, youth unemployment, and weak policing capacity create fertile ground for organized crime.
Police have promised transparency and pledged to prosecute those responsible. Security has been increased around church facilities in Kenema, while NASSIT offices nationwide have been instructed to tighten protocols.
For now, the community of Kenema mourns Father Amadu, while civil servants in the south watch nervously as investigations unfold.
“Justice must be done, and done quickly,” said Reverend Michael Conteh, a colleague of the slain priest. “Otherwise, fear will take root, and that is dangerous for our fragile peace.”
By Joseph Turay
