Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew after attack on military barracks

The government of Sierra Leone has declared a nationwide curfew after “some unidentified individuals” attempted to break into the military armoury at Wilberforce barracks.

In a statement, Chernor Bah, the country’s minister of information and civic education, said in the early hours of Sunday, armed individuals attacked the barracks which houses several foreign embassies, including those of China, Germany, Austria, Gambia, Lebanon and Syria.

Bah said the nation’s security forces were able to curtail the situation before it spiralled into a monumental crisis.

“In the early hours of Sunday, November 26th 2023, some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at Wilberforce barracks,” the statement reads.

“They have all been rebuffed. The public is assured that the government and our state security forces are in control.

“To enable the security forces to continue the process of apprehending the suspects, a nationwide curfew is declared with immediate effect across the country.”