Regional commander of operations support murdered in Sierra Leone

FREETOWN, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Matthew Banya, a regional commander of the operations support division, the paramilitary wing of the Sierra Leone Police Force, was killed by an unknown assailant in northern Sierra Leone's Makeni city late Saturday, leading to panic among local citizens, local police confirmed Sunday.

The confirmation was from Sahr Yonba Senesie, the northeast regional police commander and assistant inspector of the police, whose portfolio includes maintaining law and order in the city of Makeni.

He told Xinhua on the phone that huge police and military presence are around the crime scene and surrounding areas, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motivation behind the death, urging the public to go about their normal business.

Many merchandise shops and other businesses in the city remain closed Sunday following the tragic incident.