MAKENI, Oct 2, 2026 — A journalist was attacked and injured Thursday while covering a clash between rival factions of the All People’s Congress (APC) at the party’s district office in Makeni.
The victim is Ishmail Stanley Bangura, Head of Production at Hope Radio 93.3 FM – Voice of Sanda – one of the leading community radio stations in Bombali District.
In a statement, the management of Hope Radio said Mr. Bangura had gone to the APC office on Field Road to cover the disputed Bombali chairmanship elections when violence broke out between supporters of outgoing chairman Hon. Martin Bangura and chairman-elect Alie Kamara alias “Alie General”.
According to the station, thugs and bodyguards identified as loyalists of Alie General attacked Mr. Bangura with sticks, beat him mercilessly and seized his two mobile phones which he was using to film the confrontation.
He sustained bodily injuries and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
The station said the attack was not just on its staff but on press freedom itself.
“If this is allowed, no journalist will feel safe covering the 2028 elections,” the management warned, describing the seizure of the phones as theft and an attempt to destroy evidence of political violence.
The incident has been reported at the Rogbaneh Police Division in Makeni. Police have issued a medical request form and obtained a statement from the victim. No arrest has been announced yet.
The management has demanded the immediate return of the phones, called on the APC leadership at district and national level to publicly condemn the act and order their supporters to respect journalists, and urged the Sierra Leone Police to investigate and prosecute the attackers.
They have also called on the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the *Independent Media Commission (IMC)* to stand with the station.
This is the second time in recent months that a journalist has been attacked while covering intra-party politics in the North, raising concerns about the safety of reporters as political activities intensify ahead of the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections.
