In a shocking turn of events, William Fayia Sellu, the Inspector-General of the Sierra Leone Police, has come under fire for allegedly subjecting ex-peacekeeping officers to inhumane treatment and illegal solitary confinement at the Police Headquarters (PHQ) in Freetown.
Reports indicate that these officers, who served in a peacekeeping mission in Somalia, have endured degrading conditions for nearly eleven months without any clear justification. The controversy began on April 1, 2022, when a contingent of 160 officers from the Formed Police Unit 4 (FPU 4) was deployed to Somalia for an eighteen-month peacekeeping mission. Tragically, during their time overseas, two officers lost their lives. Upon their return to Sierra Leone on October 4, 2023, the remaining officers were met with a grim reality—they had not received the allowances they were owed for their service. Despite repeated inquiries regarding their unpaid allowances, the peacekeepers have reportedly received no answers from their superiors.
Since their return, they have been separated from their families and forced to live in deplorable conditions at the PHQ car park. Reports describe the lack of basic amenities, including inadequate toilet facilities and access to clean water, with many officers sleeping on the ground.
The situation has taken a toll on the health of these peacekeepers, with numerous individuals reportedly suffering from serious illnesses as a result of their confinement. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that senior members of the Executive Management Board (EMB) may have embezzled the peacekeepers’ allowances. To prevent these officers from exposing the alleged corruption, it is claimed that the Inspector-General ordered their detention.
Adding to the distress, family members and friends of the detained officers have been denied access to visit them, further compounding the emotional strain of their situation. Efforts to obtain a comment from Inspector-General Sellu have been unsuccessful, as all attempts to reach him have been declined.
As the situation unfolds, many are calling for accountability and transparency within the Sierra Leone Police, particularly regarding the treatment of those who have served in peacekeeping roles. The public awaits further revelations in the coming editions, hoping for justice for the affected officers.
