By Sallieu S. Kanu
Kenema, Sierra Leone – August 30, 2025: The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have confirmed the tragic death of Reverend Father Augustine Dauda Amadu, a Catholic priest of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, located in Burma 3 Section on the outskirts of Kenema. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, August 30, and has sent shockwaves through the local community and the wider Catholic faithful.
According to police reports, the SLP received a distress call at approximately 07:43 hours from a parishioner, reporting that Rev. Fr. Amadu had been attacked overnight by unidentified armed assailants at his parish residence. Investigators revealed that the attackers forcibly entered the priest’s home through a damaged window, and the priest, who lived alone, was fatally assaulted.
A police investigation team swiftly responded to the scene, and the priest’s remains were transported to the Kenema Government Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination. Authorities have yet to determine whether any property was stolen during the attack.
While no arrests have been made, several parishioners and church officials who arrived for early morning service are currently assisting police with statements. The SLP has assured the public, particularly the Catholic community, that a full-scale investigation is underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for what it described as a heinous crime.
In a related development, the SLP reported the arrest of Rodney Massaquoi and his wife, Mamie Jacob, in Bo City on August 27, 2025. A search of their residence uncovered a cache of items including: a single barrel gun, an empty rifle magazine, five pairs of OSD uniforms, three OSD berets, two pairs of boots, two OSD belts, a cutlass, a butcher’s knife, and three kitchen knives.
Both suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine the origin and intended use of the items.
The Sierra Leone Police have called on the public to remain calm and continue supporting law enforcement efforts by providing timely and useful information that could aid ongoing investigations.