Waterloo Mob Violence: 22 Arrested in OSD Officer Murder
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have apprehended 22 individuals, including two military officers, in connection with the brutal mob murder of an Operations Support Division (OSD) officer in Waterloo. The arrests were announced during a police press briefing at the Kingtom Police Officer’s Mess on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
The victim, Police Constable David French, was killed on August 23, 2026, while stationed at a Waterloo property currently under a court injunction. Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Braima Kanneh, Regional Commander for Freetown East, reported that a local mob, incited by a community property dispute, overpowered French and fatally attacked him with machetes.
During the ongoing investigation, police recovered the deceased officer’s rifle from one of the detained military officers. AIG Kanneh emphasized that authorities are actively working to uncover the full scope of the incident.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alieu Jalloh, head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), added that evidence currently implicates seven of the suspects, whose identities are undergoing thorough verification. The remaining 15 suspects may be released on bail, provided they present reliable sureties to ensure their appearance at future proceedings.
The killing has sparked widespread concern across Waterloo and the broader Sierra Leone region, underscoring the volatile nature of local land disputes and their potential to escalate into fatal community conflicts.
The SLP has appealed for public calm and cooperation, reaffirming its commitment to bringing all perpetrators to justice, regardless of their social or military standing.
Comments