The military officer who exposed Koita during a coup attempt is said to have shot himself.

Early on Monday, March 11, 2024, a soldier assigned to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Murray Town 3rd Infantry Brigade is reported to have committed suicide.

According to credible military sources cited by the Sierra Leone Telegraph, the dead has been identified as Lance Corporal Kanyako. Initial reports suggested foul play, with some claiming he was shot from behind; however, other accounts claim that Kanyako, who had served for more than ten years, killed himself with an AK-47 belonging to his coworker Corporal Kovoma, who was also stationed at the same Brigade.

Since no suicide note has been found, the reasons for this suspected suicide are still unknown. Military intelligence, however, suggests that there may be a link to an alleged "promotion for information" scheme involving Kanyako and high-ranking military personnel.

Sources claim that Kanyako was instrumental in identifying and apprehending Amadu Koita, an alleged coup conspirator connected to the security lapses on November 26, 2023, namely the assault on the Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown. Kanyako was allegedly promised a promotion during the following round of promotions in exchange for his assistance.

But to his dismay and chagrin, Kanyako's name was noticeably missing from the promotion list, even though he had been assured by a specific Colonel that it would appear.

The assault on Freetown and the Wilberforce Military Barracks, in particular, had raised a great deal of doubt over who was responsible for the events of November 26.

Amadu Koita's identification was made possible in large part by Kanyako's evidence, which ultimately resulted in his capture on December 4, 2023.

Colonel Ibrahim Bangura, a military spokesman, declined to comment when contacted for clarification, citing ongoing investigations into the event.

The significance of locating the senior officer who is suspected of promising Kanyako a promotion and the reasons for the persistent failure to follow through on this promise were stressed by a senior officer of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Freetown.

In addition, people who knew the dead before he passed away are being sought after to provide insight into his mental condition.

In the meantime, Corporal Kovoma is helping military police investigators with their investigations while he is being held at the Military Police Custodian Centre at Wilberforce.