Streets in Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone were largely deserted on Sunday after a night-time curfew was declared.
The curfew was declared by the nation’s information minister on Sunday morning after a reported attack at a military armoury in the capital leading to armed clashes and eventually a situation where by armed men freed prison inmates.
There were reported gunshots and explosions
in the city’s Wilberforce district, where the armoury and some embassies are located.
After the attack, the Ministry of Information declared an immediate curfew, which was due to be lifted at 06:00 (GMT) on Monday.
While residents across the country were advised to stay indoors, flights to and from the nation’s only international airport have been cancelled.
In a televised address following the incident, President Julius Maada Bio said most of the leaders behind the attack had been arrested.
While describing the events as a “breach of security” and an attack on democracy, the President noted that all those responsible for the act will be brought to book as he also claimed that peace had been restored to the west African nation.
The political situation in Sierra Leone has remained uncertain since June, when President Bio was re-elected after narrowly missing out on the need to have a run-off.
The incident on Sunday has been alleged to be an attempt to challenge the president’s authority as the country’s political atmosphere continues to flop.
BBC reports that there has been no confirmation on the number of prisoners who were released but videos shared on social media show several people fleeing from the area of Freetown’s Central Pademba Road prison