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Despite a relatively calm overall security situation in Sierra Leone, NGOs in and around the capital, Freetown, have expressed concern at the spate of armed robberies targetting NGO and UN personnel.
OCHA reported the NGOs as saying that armed robberies had increased since the UN Mission in Sierra Leone reduced its checkpoints in the city. Recently, three off-duty government army recruits fired shots at a vehicle driven by a UN civilian. OCHA said the incident occurred at an illegal vehicle checkpoint set up by the recruits, who were arrested. No one was hurt.
Meanwhile, UNAMSIL has increased the frequency of its patrols in Freetown to make up for the closure of the six checkpoints. The UN security patrol has been expanded to include a second standby crew for quick response duties. These patrols operate near NGO facilities, OCHA reported.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions