MOB ATTACKS POLICE STATION: SLP OPEN FIRE, WOUND 11

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000374 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ASEC PINS SL SUBJECT: MOB ATTACKS POLICE STATION: SLP OPEN FIRE, WOUND 11 ¶1. At around noon on September 17, a mob of approximately 100 people attacked a small police station outpost near the Lungi International Airport. According to sources, the mob was angry at recent arrests of community members suspected of committing armed robberies in the area. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP),represented by only a few officers at the time of attack, had no tear gas or means of escape: the one armed officer present opened fire on the crowd, wounding 9 and critically injuring 2. The situation in the area is extremely tense, and senior security sources expect reprisal attacks within the next 24 hours. ¶2. Post will report further information, as available, septel. FEDZER