It is time to sit and think over the strange behavior that is about to gain ground in our midst.

This year, within a period of 6 months, over five gruesome and high profile murders have occurred. And most of these alleged murderers and their victims are youths. Moreover, the way and manner the victims are killed make one feel sad. Flash back: On 4 February this year, television and newspaper reports had it that a young girl, Ramatoulie Barry, resident in Serekunda London Corner was allegedly stabbed to death by another young girl identified as Kadijatou Jallow. It was revealed that the two had the same boyfriend. It was also disclosed that the incidents occurred in their boyfriend's place in the afternoon of that day.

Amadou Jarra, aged 23 and a Malian, was arrested for the brutal murder of Nyimasata Ceesay and Kinti Fatty on Monday, 2 March in Kerewan. Chief Inspector Jerreh Conteh, SO, Kerewan Police Station, who narrated the incidence to reporters, said Amadou Jarra brutally stabbed the two women. He was dwelling in the same compound with the women, where he was accommodated by one Burama Fatajo, the husband of the two. When this alleged murderer was carrying out this inhuman act, the victims' husband was not at home to rescue his wives from the hands of death.

It doesn't stop there as it was reported by the police that on 29 March around 8.00pm, Nami Coba Jarju, a veteran traditional birth attendant in Busumbula, was hit twice on her head by her 25-year-old son, Buba Yarbo. Blood oozed out from Nami Coba Jarju's ears and she gave up the ghost.

One of the most pathetic of the murder incidents was on June 4, when four suspects in the names of Agibu Jallow (main suspect), Momodou Jang Bah, Bubacarr Bah and Alfusaney Jallow (accomplice) were linked to the murder of a young lady called Isatou Jallow.  It was reported that she was killed at night and her less than 6 months old baby left on her chest till dawn.

Still in the month of June, at Gunjur village, one Lamin Faye was accused of murdering one Mustapha Jammeh. Ousman Jatta, commissioner of police, Western Region, confirmed the incidence and said that this occurred on Friday 12 June in Gunjur, and the culprit, Lamin Faye, surrendered himself to the police on the same day. Lamin Faye is said to have admitted to being responsible for the murder of the victim, Mustapha Jammeh, a resident of Gunjur as well. According to the commissioner of police, WR, during interrogation, Lamin Faye told the police that the deceased, Mustapha Jammeh, had appeared to him several times in dream, threatening to kill him (Lamin Faye), and that he had pre-empted him by stabbing him.

A careful analysis of the circumstances surrounding these occurrences, show that most if not all occurred over trivial issues. Could they have been prevented? This is the question that we need to ask ourselves. Let us all be more vigilant and re-examine our relationships with others.

We should all also work in partnership with the police to prevent such gruesome crimes. The failure to report disturbing or suspicious behaviour which could lead to the prevention of a crime is also a crime. Let us all be each other's keepers and endeavor to make our society safer for all.