Four men are in police custody after an attempted armed burglary at the GOAL-Sierra Leone office on Bumbuna Road in Magburaka was foiled through the combined efforts of Sierra Leone Police officers and alert local residents.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Alieu Jalloh, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, confirmed the arrests during a press briefing at the Kingtom Police Officers’ Mess on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.
He commended the rapid response of patrol officers and the vital intelligence provided by community members.
The incident occurred on 23 August 2026. The suspects, armed with dangerous implements, breached the barbed-wire fencing surrounding the premises and were in the process of forcing open the office doors to steal valuable assets belonging to the humanitarian organisation.
Their plan was cut short when a passing police patrol officer and vigilant local youths spotted the suspicious activity. As the men prepared to load the stolen items into a waiting vehicle, an alarm was raised. A rapid-response team arrived promptly, secured the area and apprehended the suspects.
Those arrested have been identified as:
– Alimamy Kamara, the designated driver
– Abdulai Barrie, 33, a known offender with previous convictions for larceny and obtaining money by false pretences
– Abdul Rahman Fofanah, alias “Uncle O”, also a known offender
– Hamuday Bangura
ACP Jalloh emphasised that the successful operation highlights the important role of the Police Partnership Board and grassroots community vigilance in protecting national and humanitarian development assets.
“This collaborative effort underscores the critical importance of community engagement in crime prevention,” he said, while reassuring the public of the Sierra Leone Police’s continued commitment to proactive policing.
The four suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
