FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - A wave of violence engulfed Sierra Leone's capital as armed gunmen attacked the country's main military barracks and overran several detention centers, including the Pademba Road Prisons, with the president declaring a nationwide curfew in response.

The chaotic events unfolded on Sunday, with sustained shootouts reported at the Wilberforce military barracks while security forces battled to restore calm. Information Minister Chernor Bah confirmed that the attackers successfully breached the prisons, leading to the abduction of some inmates and the release of others. However, security forces managed to push the assailants to the outskirts of the city, where fighting still continued.

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio swiftly took action by implementing a nationwide curfew to mitigate the heightened threat. Gunshots continued to be heard in Freetown, casting doubts on the government's assurance of calm. The identity of the attackers remains unclear, as does information on any arrests made in connection with the incident.

Minister Bah reassured the public that security forces were making progress in combating the assailants and emphasized that the government maintained control over the situation. President Bio and the Ministry of Information and Education echoed these sentiments, dismissing concerns of an escalation of violence in a country plagued by poverty and low development indicators.

Sierra Leone, with a population of 8 million, has experienced political uncertainty before, with the recent reelection of President Bio following a disputed vote marred by allegations of electoral rigging. The motivation behind the gunmen's attack remains unknown at this time.

Videos circulated online captured the tense atmosphere in Freetown, showing soldiers patrolling empty streets and the sound of gunshots ringing out at dawn. However, the authenticity of these videos could not be immediately verified.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which Sierra Leone is a member, described the incident as a conspiracy aimed at acquiring arms and disrupting peace. The regional bloc has been actively working to counter the surge in military coups in West and Central Africa, which have seen eight takeovers since 2020, including recent ones in Niger and Gabon.

President Bio, who emerged victorious in Sierra Leone's fifth presidential election since the end of the devastating civil war over two decades ago, continues to face criticism for the country's struggling economy. With nearly 60% of the population living in poverty and high levels of youth unemployment, economic conditions remain challenging.

Just two months after his reelection, the police arrested several individuals, including senior military officers, for allegedly planning to use protests to undermine peace in the country. This followed a protest last August that resulted in the deaths of more than 30 people, including six police officers.

As the situation unfolds, Sierra Leone remains on high alert, with security forces working diligently to restore stability and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice. The government, determined to maintain control and bring about peace, faces significant challenges in addressing the country's economic woes and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.