By Beatrice Kamara
Makeni, 13th January 2026- A quiet evening in Warreh Community along the Kamakwie Highway turned tragic when gunshots rang out at a local fuel station between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., leaving one man dead and sparking fear among nearby students.
The victim, identified as Anthony, a fuel attendant at the station, was shot during the attack. He was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. The fuel station, which also houses a student lodge, has now become the center of a police investigation and heightened community anxiety.
Speaking to Truth Media, Sergeant John Abass Kamara, North-East Regional Media Officer of the Sierra Leone Police, confirmed that the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
“At this point, we cannot confirm whether it was robbery, conflict, or a personal attack. Investigations are ongoing,” Sergeant Kamara said.
No arrests have been made so far, but police say they are working to track down the assailant. Sergeant Kamara appealed to the public to provide any information that could aid the investigation.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the attacker was dressed in military uniform, but police have cautioned against speculation. “We cannot confirm whether the suspect is a military officer. That claim remains unverified,” Kamara stressed.
He also explained that although the nearest police station is not far from the scene, officers arrived late due to delays in receiving timely information. “Assailants can act and escape quickly. The only way we could have responded faster was if we had been alerted immediately,” he noted.
The incident has left students at the lodge traumatized, with some vacating the premises out of fear. Rumors linking the attack to students of the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) were dismissed by police, who clarified that students had no involvement.
“This is the first shooting of its kind in the area,” Sergeant Kamara said, warning against misinformation that could inflame tensions.
The shooting has raised serious concerns about safety in the Warreh Community, particularly around student hostels located close to the fuel station. Community members and university authorities are now calling for tighter security measures to protect students and residents.
Police investigations continue as the community mourns the loss of Anthony and awaits answers about the motive and identity of the attacker.
