Sierra Leone's former president, Ernest Bai Koroma, has been identified by the West African nation's police chief as a suspect in what the government calls an "attempted coup" that took place in late November.
According to police chief Fayia Sellu, the official declaration of Koroma as a coup suspect came after the former president, who ruled the country from 2007 to 2018, gave a voluntary statement to police while under investigation for the fourth time.
The armed assailants involved in the events attacked various military and law enforcement facilities, resulting in 21 deaths, including 18 security personnel and three attackers.
In the aftermath, 80 people were arrested, including some of Koroma's former guards, who were suspected of involvement. In addition, a list of 54 people, including Koroma's daughter, was published as wanted in connection with these events.
Security forces have also reported the recovery of 29 assault rifles and five rocket launchers, out of the 47 rifles and seven launchers allegedly taken by the coup plotters.