Leader of Ousted Junta Flees Nation

The leader of the ousted military junta has fled this West African country, and the Nigerian-led intervention force trying to restore order threatened to shoot looters on sight. Junta leader Lt. Col. Johnny Paul Koroma left for neighboring Liberia by boat, Nigerian Col. Maxwell Khobe said. Khobe’s troops led the coalition that cleared the way for the return of elected President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. In Freetown, the capital, the focus was shifting from the victory won over the weekend to restoring law and order, Khobe said. “With immediate effect, acts of vandalism, revenge killings and looting must stop,” Khobe warned. “Anyone caught will be shot on sight.” More than 390 junta soldiers have surrendered their arms to the coalition, Khobe said.