By Desmond Tunde Coker
Freetown, March 22, 2025: The tragic deaths of two toddlers at the Pentecostal preschool have left their families and community in mourning, with parents calling for justice as the children were laid to rest on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Circular Road Cemetery in Freetown.
The deceased, ages three and under, were found dead in an abandoned vehicle within the premises of the National Pentecostal Church Kindergarten School in Freetown.
Amid tears and grief, mourners at the funeral urged the government of Sierra Leone to take swift action to ensure justice is served. The National Pentecostal Mission, which operates the school where the incident occurred, has called for calm and restraint as investigations continue.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Mission urged the public to avoid speculation and social media commentary, emphasizing the need to allow the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police to conduct thorough investigations.
The incident, which took place on the evening of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, has left both the school and its surrounding community in a state of shock and sorrow.
Speaking at the funeral, the grandfather of one of the victims, Mr. Mohamed Samura, revealed that a pathology report confirmed suffocation as the cause of death. This revelation has intensified calls from the families for accountability and action.
As the investigation progresses, the families of the deceased and the wider community await further details from the authorities, hoping that justice will bring some solace in the wake of this devastating loss.
A Growing Concern
This tragedy has sparked public concern regarding the safety and security of children in schools across Sierra Leone. Many are calling for stringent measures to prevent such incidents and ensure the well-being of students. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident.