SLAJ Condemns Alleged Assault on Hope FM Journalist

SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has condemned the alleged assault on Hope FM 93.3 Production Manager, Ishmail Stanley Bangura, in Makeni and called for the immediate return of two mobile phones reportedly seized during the incident.

In a press release dated October 12, 2026, SLAJ said Bangura was allegedly attacked on October 2 at the All Peoples Congress (APC) District Office on Field Road, Makeni, while covering a reported fracas between rival factions within the party.

According to the association, Bangura went to the premises after receiving information about the incident and began documenting the scene using a phone belonging to Hope FM. He was allegedly confronted by a group of men who punched him despite his identification as a journalist on duty.

SLAJ said an iPhone 12 Pro Max belonging to Hope FM and his personal iPhone XR were taken during the alleged assault and had not been returned at the time of the statement.

The association disclosed that Bangura was subsequently taken to Rogbanch Police Division, where a formal complaint was lodged, a medical form issued and his statement recorded by the investigating officer.

SLAJ urged the Sierra Leone Police to conduct a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation, recover and return the phones, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. It also called for measures to protect Bangura from further threats or intimidation.

The association further called on the APC leadership to publicly dissociate itself from the alleged incident and urge its supporters and marshals to respect journalists carrying out their professional duties.

According to the statement, APC Bombali District Chairman Emmanuel Alie Kargbo, popularly known as Alie General, told SLAJ Secretary General Edward Farah Marah that he did not know whether the alleged attackers were his supporters, although he could not rule out that possibility.

SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara stressed that journalists must be allowed to cover political events without fear of assault, threats or obstruction.

The association said it was monitoring the matter and would continue to press for the return of the phones and accountability for the alleged assault, emphasising that the safety of journalists must be protected across Sierra Leone.