Concerns Rise in Kenema Over Alleged Selective Enforcement of School Cross-Country Ban

Concerns over alleged selective enforcement of a national directive have surfaced in Kenema, with accusations that the Kenema Police Division applied the ban on school cross-country activities inconsistently across different institutions.

The controversy centers around the implementation of a nationwide order halting school cross-country events. Reports indicate that following the directive, several schools in Kenema sought police clearance to proceed with their planned activities. While some schools were reportedly denied permission, others were initially granted approval but later disrupted by police, with claims that students and school authorities were subjected to arrests.

The situation has drawn criticism from members of the public and stakeholders in the education sector, who describe the enforcement process as uneven and lacking transparency.

Tensions escalated after reports emerged that Islamic Secondary School was allowed to conduct its cross-country activity without any interference from the police. The development has sparked questions among affected schools and community members, with many alleging double standards in the application of the directive.

Critics argue that if a national order is in place, it should be enforced uniformly across all schools, regardless of affiliation. They maintain that allowing one institution to proceed while others faced restrictions and arrests undermines fairness and weakens public confidence in law enforcement.

Observers are now calling on the Kenema Police Division, under the leadership of AIG Francis Brima Meinday and CSP Emmanuel Kpulun (Local Unit Commander), to provide clarity on the criteria used in granting or denying permission to schools.

The incident has ignited broader discussions around equal treatment, accountability, and transparency in the enforcement of public directives within the district.

As of press time, the Kenema Police Division had not issued an official statement addressing the allegations.