Former Sierra Leonean military strongman , Retired Colonel Tom Nyuma , was picked up at his residence in Ohio by U.S. authorities yesterday. Diligent investigations by this newspaper confirmed the arrest , but it is not certain yet whether he is in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigations ( FBI) , as was initially reported to COCORIOKO by sources. .
Our investigations unearthed the fact that Col.Nyuma was arrested in Columbus, Ohio while a collegue, retired Colonel Komba Kambo was said to have been nabbed in Austin, Texas. It is said that though being held in Columbus, Nyuma was arrested by officers from Austin, Texas. A member of the National Provisional Ruling Council ( NPRC) –The military government that ruled Sierra Leone from 1992 when the then ruling All People’s Congress ( APC ) was overthrown to 1996 when civilian rule was restored—was contacted by this newspaper but he said he had no knowledge of the arrests.
Both Nyuma and Kambo served the NPRC, but is also not known whether they were arrested for alleged atrocities committed by the junta . Calls made to Col.Nyuma’s wife in Ohio were not picked up , but a family member confirmed the arrest and said that Mrs.Nyuma was not receiving calls presently. Sources said last night that she was depressed and devastated.
STAY TUNED to Cocorioko for further details of this developing story.
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