Fear and tension have engulfed Worreh Village following the alleged shooting death of a fuel station worker at the SS Lodge Gas Station on Monday evening, an incident that has sparked public outrage, vandalism, and an ongoing police investigation.
According to a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant John Abass, police in the Panlap community are investigating an alleged case of shooting and other related offences that reportedly occurred on Monday, 12 January 2026, at about 6:50 p.m. at the SS Lodge Gas Station in Worreh Village.
The police statement revealed that an unidentified gunman, reportedly dressed in military combat attire and armed with a rifle, arrived at the fuel station on an unidentified motorcycle ridden by another unknown person. Moments after their arrival, gunshots were allegedly fired, leaving a fuel attendant critically injured. Both suspects reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident.
The victim has been identified as Anthony S. Kargbo, a fuel attendant at the station and a resident of Worreh Village. Although initial reports suggested he sustained gunshot injuries, family members later confirmed that he succumbed to his wounds, throwing the community into mourning.
Mohamed Kamara, a worker at the SS Lodge Gas Station, told this medium on Monday, 13 January, that he had left the station shortly before the alleged attack occurred. Mohamed recounted his final interaction with the victim and shared details relayed to him by his younger sister, Hassanautu Koroma, who also works at the station and allegedly witnessed the incident.
According to Mohamed, Hassanautu said that unfamiliar men dressed in camouflage clothing and without face coverings approached Anthony Kargbo while he was checking cash at the station. The men allegedly demanded money from him. When he reportedly refused, one of the assailants slapped him. Fearing for his life, the victim allegedly ran into the office area in an attempt to seek safety.
Hassanautu further alleged that one of the armed men fired a warning shot on the ground before chasing the victim into the office. Mohamed said his sister reported that the gunman followed Anthony into the toilet area, where he allegedly shot him in the shoulder. The attacker reportedly fired another shot, hitting the victim in the neck, before fleeing the scene with his accomplice.
The grandfather of the deceased, Hassan Gbasay Kamara, also spoke to this medium on Monday, expressing deep sorrow and anger over the killing of his grandson. He described the incident as devastating to the family and said the pain of losing Anthony in such a violent manner was unbearable. Despite his grief, he appealed for justice through lawful means, expressing hope that the police would conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to bring those responsible to account.
In the aftermath of the incident, tensions reportedly escalated in Worreh Village, with some angry community members vandalizing properties at the fuel station. The unrest heightened fears of possible retaliatory violence, prompting swift intervention by the police.
On Monday, 13 January, police officers visited Worreh Village, led by the Regional Commander North, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Victor Manfred Williams, to calm the situation and restore order. Addressing residents, AIG Williams urged the community to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the police are actively pursuing the investigation.
He strongly warned against acts of jungle justice, emphasizing that violence, arson, or vandalism would be treated as criminal offences. AIG Williams encouraged residents to cooperate with law enforcement by providing any credible information that could aid the investigation, stressing that justice would only be achieved through due process.
The Deputy Mayor of the town and the Bombali District Chairman were also present during the visit. Both officials appealed to residents to maintain peace and avoid taking the law into their own hands. Authorities disclosed that intelligence reports suggested another act of vandalism might have been planned, reinforcing the need for calm and restraint as investigations continue.
Police have confirmed that the body of the deceased has been conveyed for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been made, and the suspects remain at large.
The incident has left Worreh Village in shock, raising fresh concerns about armed violence, impersonation of security forces, and public safety in the area, as residents await answers and justice for the slain fuel attendant.
