Illegal Demolition of the Krio Descendants Union (KDU) Proposed Museum—

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MURRAY TOWN: The 'Krio Ose' is a cultural and community center dedicated to the Krio people. On the morning of Friday, July 11, 2025, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) was accused of demolishing the construction site of the Krio Ose without providing any legal notice.

Melbourne Garber, a structural engineer and member of the Krio Descendants Union, expressed his outrage over the incident, stating that the demolition was conducted without any legal notice or court order.

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Garber described the demolition as an act of lawlessness, pointing out that the construction had cost the KDU over Le 600 million (Old Leones). He criticized the military's actions, stating, "They recklessly demolished the site during ungodly hours, like thieves in the night."

A representative of the KDU confirmed that the Union possesses all legal documentation related to the land lease, which the Freetown City Council issued. He described the situation as both disappointing and troubling, noting that attempts by the Building Committee and other members to resolve the issue had not been successful. “There seems to be a sense that this matter may be more political than it appears,” he remarked, urging members to stay united as the Union works towards a resolution.

The Demolition of the “Krio Ose,” Is It Tit for Tat? Let us begin by taking a mental journey back in history.

As a child growing up in Freetown, I learned that there is a particular ethnic group known for their inability to forgive or let go of grudges. They tend to hold onto resentments and pass them down through generations, making them seem quite vindictive.

They never forgive.

Most of the inhabitants at the Murray Town barracks are from that ethnic group, and they have lived there for about three generations.

As a result of overpopulation in the barracks, adult children were asked to leave. Those affected were evicted from the barracks and moved next door, where they squatted on land owned by the Sierra Leone Grammar School, which they referred to as the "Krio School." They built makeshift structures on the land and intimidated the schoolchildren, preventing them from attending classes.

There were many skirmishes between the students and the military officers. At one point, the Sierra Leone Grammar School had to close for a couple of weeks.

The school authorities, along with members of the old boys' association, rallied together, as their school song states, and sought justice in the high court. It was a long and arduous journey, but in the end, justice prevailed.

A court order was issued for the demolition of structures on the Sierra Leone Grammar School land, destroying numerous buildings. Many of these buildings were built by military officers whose children currently hold positions of authority in the government, including General Tuluva and Captain Jalloh, among others. These individuals were in their early to mid-teens when these events occurred in the 1990s.

The Krios sought a location to create a museum that would showcase their culture and traditions.

The Krios sought a location to create a museum that would showcase their culture and traditions, train young Krio children about their heritage, and preserve it.

After exploring all avenues, the mayor of Freetown came to their rescue and gave them a leasehold of land from the Sir Samuel Lewis estates at Murray Town. Little did they know that these remnants from the Grammar school saga are still around.

These individuals joined the military following in their father's footsteps, carrying grudges and claiming ownership of the land. Despite holding dialogues to resolve the issue, they did not yield.

It is alleged that they trespassed on the building site at Sir Samuel Lewis Road in Murray Town in the early hours of Friday, July 11, 2025, and demolished the structure that had been built, valued at about seven hundred million leones.

Why have the Krios been an easy target?

Why have the Krios been an easy target? Is it because they are law-abiding and scared of violence perpetrated against them? The court of law, which we once believed in, is now a charade.

Where do we go now? We have been chased from all our villages and towns to the brink of extinction.

Today’s Front Page by a Krio Descendant | Share