By Abdul Rahman

Following Sunday’s violent clashes between the police and Kroo Town Road residents that reportedly claimed three lives, the Ministry of Sports on Thursday announced a sweeping suspension of all community and school soccer competitions across the western area, except for informal, non-competitive matches designed purely for leisure and entertainment.

The incident has triggered a formal inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Board (IPCB).

The unrest erupted a day after Kroo Town Road suffered a defeat to Kossoh Town in the Central One Football Association (COFA) inter-community championship.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that one casualty, a local trader, was struck by a stray bullet discharged during the police response. Security officials stated they have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and hold responsible parties accountable.

Police maintained that personnel dispatched to the scene were responding to emergency calls following an assault on a Kossoh Town resident attending a funeral at Kroo Town Road. After the officers successfully dispersed the Kossoh Town crowd, they were subsequently attacked with projectiles by the Kroo Town Road faction.

The Western Area Football Association had earlier responded to the situation by suspending the COFA league pending investigation.

Fritong Post understands that the government directive emerged from high-level consultations involving the Office of National Security, the National Sports Authority, and the Ministry of Sports, where stakeholders comprehensively reviewed incidents tied to local sports.