By Andrew Chokpeleh
Freetown, 9th September, 2026 – The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has announced the arrest of more than 22 suspects in connection with the alleged murder of Sergeant 12565 David French, who was killed while providing security at a property in Waterloo. Among those arrested are two military personnel, identified as Corporal Tamba Nguan and Staff Sergeant James B. Fornah.
The announcement was made during a press conference, where police also disclosed the seizure of cartons of suspected tramadol during a separate operation carried out at Bombay Market at Mammy Yoko Street in the eastern part of Freetown.
The Regional Commander for Freetown East, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Brima Kanneh, said the suspects were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation coordinated by OSD Commander, Commissioner Alhaji Sama, and a team of police officers. According to AIG Kanneh, investigators believed the suspects were involved in the killing of Sergeant French, who had been assigned to guard a property that is currently the subject of a court injunction due to an ownership dispute between two parties.
AIG Kanneh said all 22 suspects remained in police custody, while investigations continue. He disclosed that a post-mortem examination had already been conducted on the late Sergeant French, adding that the findings would form part of the evidence to be presented before the court once the matter proceeds to trial.
The Regional Commander also provided an update on the recent security operation at Bombay Market, explaining that police acted on intelligence indicating that youth in the community were engaged in a confrontation over suspected contraband substances, which was believed to be tramadol that had been discovered in a building on Mammy Yoko Street in the eastern part of Freetown. He said officers who responded to the scene encountered resistance from members of the community, resulting in a confrontation between the police and local youth.
During the operation, police recovered a large quantity of suspected tramadol, which has since been handed over to the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) for further investigation. AIG Kanneh, however, confirmed that a young man from the community died during the incident. He said police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death to establish its cause. Although several youths were initially arrested, they were later released after police learned of the fatality, with investigators encouraging community members to provide any information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
According to AIG Kanneh, no individual has come forward to claim ownership of either the building, where the suspected drugs were discovered, or the suspected tramadol itself. He said investigations are continuing to determine the ownership of the property and identify those responsible for the illegal substances.
Meanwhile, Reverend Julius Laggah, head of the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), confirmed that laboratory tests had already been conducted on the seized substances. He said the forensic analysis had been completed and that the report would support the ongoing investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
