On Saturday July 18, police after battling with rampaging youths on the streets of the northern provincial district headquarter town of Makeni had to be reinforced by military personnel from the nearby Teko Barracks to quell the tense situation.

Officials were forced to impose a daytime curfew on the city, as attempt was made by lawless youths and hoodlum to damage the Makeni power house.

Investigation conducted by this press revealed that inciting statements made by the infamous Adebayor on social media informed the people of Makeni that the electricity generation and transmission company was going to relocate a 1.65MW Megawatts thermal power standby generator from the Makeni power station to Lungi in Port Loko district, following resumption of flights on Wednesday 22, after months-long closure due to Covid 19.

The youths defiantly stated that the generator would not be removed claiming that it was bought by ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma who presently resides in Makeni.

This led to police firing teargas and shots into the air to put the situation under control as they fought running battles with the youths on Makeni streets.

They also attacked the regional police headquarters on Ro-Gbaneh Road and the SLPP party office.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy on Saturday afternoon issued a public notice stating that it was disturbed by the skirmishes in Makeni and condemned what it called unlawful behavior of some ill-motivated youths.The Ministry noted that Lungi as the airport resumes flights on Wednesday is in dire need of electricity.

Thus, the relocation of the generator is a stop-gap measure until the 3.2MW Mans engines are fully repaired. The relocation, the Ministry maintained would in no way prevent Makeni from getting electricity as Makeni will continue to be supplied by the Bumbuna hydro line.siege

The Ministry noted that consultations were held with Makeni stakeholders including the mayor, chairperson provincial secretary north, police, media and civil society.

Meanwhile, two people have been reported dead and several injured.