Freetown, Sierra Leone – Journalist Thomas Dixon has announced that he is currently in a secure location following what he describes as a direct threat from Inspector General of Police William Faya Sellu.
In a public statement, Dixon revealed that he received a text message from IG Sellu stating, “Thomas, you have crossed the redline.” This message followed Dixon’s critique of the perceived misuse of “orders from above” to detain individuals without due process.
Dixon further disclosed that Ahmed Sahid Nasrala, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), advised him to vacate his residence after being informed by the IG of plans to arrest him.
Dixon noted, “Prior to this information I had not been informed of any report or investigation against me by the IGP.”
Community members reported sightings of an unidentified black vehicle with unknown occupants in Dixon’s neighborhood, raising concerns about his safety. He expressed that such actions exemplify the abuse of power by authorities, stating, “This is the way people in positions of trust have been abusing power in our country for years.”
The journalist emphasized the psychological impact of the IG’s message, interpreting “crossed the redline” as reaching a “point of no return.”
He expressed feeling unsafe practicing journalism in an environment fraught with threats against media practitioners.
Dixon also recounted a prior incident involving harassment by individuals allegedly linked to the First Lady, following his commentary on her statements. During that period, his bag containing a computer, passport, and money went missing. Despite reporting the matter to the police, no progress has been made.
He concluded by questioning the role of the Inspector General of Police, stating, “It is the responsibility of [the] Inspector General of Police to ensure that every citizen is safe but if he turns out to be making existential threats against those he should protect then it appears we are not safe and secured.”
