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When the British settled in Freetown, the natives of Romarong had sold them a piece of land. However, after the repatriation of some formerly enslaved people, the British appointed a “crown colony” and soon began to sign treaties and policies that they could assume authority over areas of influence in the hinterlands. A tribal warlord called Bai Bureh ruled the northern part of the hinterland. He refused to recognize the British as more than disrespectful foreigners. When the British imposed a Hut Tax Act ordering all households within the country to pay a tax to the crown, it was high for Bai Burreh.
To stop the carnage, Bai Bureh surrendered.”
He declared war on the British. The governor-general issued a warrant with a reward of one hundred pounds for the capture of Bai Bureh. He responded with his judgment and the tip of five hundred pounds for the capture of the British governor-general. The British quickly sent hundreds of its soldiers to descend on Port Loko to arrest Bai Bureh, take control of the land, and impose the tax Hut.
However, Bai Bureh and his men destroyed all the forces that came after them. Several reinforcements arrived. They also came to their knees. It embarrassed the British because they considered their army superior to Bai Bureh and his warriors. When the British saw no other way to defeat Bai Bureh, they bombarded the people in villages, farms, women, and innocent children. To stop the carnage, Bai Bureh surrendered. He was sent into exile in Ghana, but increased respect between his captors led them to realize his greatness and return him to Port Loko, where he was reinstated as the ruler of his people. *
