Pentagon Community in Lumley Under Siege Amid Land Dispute

BY EZEKEL

The Pentagon community in Lumley is currently experiencing a crisis as armed police officers reportedly fire live bullets and tear gas at residents protesting for their rights. The tensions erupted following the resurfacing of a man named Derrick, who claims that his late father owned 38 acres of land in the area. He presented a court order to support his assertion, despite the fact that all current residents hold legal documents for their properties.

Residents are not outrightly rejecting Derrick’s claim; however, they are raising critical questions regarding his sudden emergence after 30 years. “Where has he been all these years?” they ask. “How can someone claim ownership of such land without any structures on it? How was the land acquired?” The only response they have received is that Derrick possesses a court order affirming his ownership.

Derrick insists that his father was one of the community’s founders and that he owned the land through a statutory declaration. However, he has failed to provide a copy of the court order despite repeated requests from the residents. This lack of transparency has fueled further distrust and anger within the community.

As tensions rose, the situation escalated dramatically. Derrick has allegedly enlisted the help of military personnel, police officers, and hired thugs to intimidate residents and vandalize homes and properties in the area. The community, comprising hundreds of homes valued at millions of dollars, now faces the threat of being displaced.

The case has been taken to the Court of Appeal, with a judgment pending, but the violent confrontations have left residents feeling vulnerable and unsafe. Protesters are calling for urgent intervention from the government of Sierra Leone, particularly the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning.

Residents are appealing to the authorities to address the escalating situation before it spirals further out of control. “We need protection and clarity on our rights,” said one resident. “This is our home, and we cannot allow anyone to take it away without due process.”

Efforts to speak with the commander or head of operations have proven futile, leaving the community feeling abandoned in their time of need. As the situation unfolds, residents remain hopeful that the government will step in to restore order and uphold their rights to their homes.

The Pentagon community’s struggle underscores the broader issues of land ownership and property rights in Sierra Leone, highlighting the urgent need for legal clarity and protection for vulnerable communities.