Youth Minister Mohamed Orman Bangura said the officers, six men and two women, were “brutally” and killed in the area where Wednesday’s protests took place.
Protests have sometimes turned violent. Graphic images and videos of beaten and severely injured protesters and some members of the security forces can be seen on social media. Security forces were also seen opening fire on citizens.
Bangura said he could not immediately confirm the number of civilians killed or injured in the violent protests.
“We still don’t know how many people were injured, but I can confirm that eight policemen were killed.”
Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh imposed a curfew on Wednesday to quell the protests.
Youth Minister Bangura described the protests as an “act of terror.”
“It’s not the protesters. There’s a difference between a protest and a riot and an act of terrorism. Protesting is different from acting like a terrorist… going against the state, killing soldiers. young police officer,” he said.
“The police have made a number of arrests,” the minister told CNN while accusing the country’s opposition of sponsoring the protests.
Bangura, a member of the Sierra Leone People’s Party, said: “This was well planned, calculated and funded by members of the opposition Party.
“If the protest is about the cost of living, why doesn’t it take place in all the strongholds of the current government? Why is Makeni the opposition headquarters town? Why isn’t it? nationwide strike? Out of 16 counties, why are there only 3 that they (the opposition) consider their stronghold?” he asked.
CNN has reached out to the opposition APC party for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
However, Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, one of the leading politicians in the main opposition APC party, denounced the violence.
The mayor added that she prayed for peace and national unity in Sierra Leone along with the steering committee of religious leaders.
“Today in our city… my heart goes out to all those who lost their lives and their loved ones… those who lost their property right in the city. We are all in it. are brothers and sisters… I believe completely in peace and take a stand against violence,” she said, speaking in the local creole dialect.
