The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has reassured the public that the country remains secure, highlighting intensified nationwide operations targeting violent crime, illegal drugs, human trafficking, and public disorder during its weekly press conference at Kingtom.

Addressing journalists, the Director of Operations, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Dr John Martin Senesie, reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to maintaining law and order and safeguarding communities. He outlined ongoing operational strategies aimed at strengthening public safety and preventing criminal activity.

AIG Senesie disclosed that he recently participated in a high-level security engagement in Rome, Italy, where he joined African security leaders to promote collaborative, continent-wide security policies. He also noted that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr William Fayia Sellu, alongside the Vice President, commissioned the Freetown East Regional Police Headquarters last week to strengthen policing infrastructure and improve service delivery.

The SLP continues to support the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) through joint operations to remove abandoned vehicles and illegal roadside structures that obstruct traffic and pose safety risks. Nationwide raids targeting illegal drug peddlers are ongoing across all 38 police divisions.

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Providing updates on major criminal investigations, the Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alieu Jalloh, reported that seven suspects are in custody in connection with the fatal shooting of a fuel attendant during an armed robbery at SS Lodge Fuel Station in Makeni on 12 January 2026. Among those detained is a police officer whose rifle was allegedly used in the attack. All suspects are assisting with investigations.

ACP Jalloh also confirmed progress in the investigation into the killing of Joshua Mansaray, who was beaten to death on 25 January along King Harman Road after being wrongly accused of stealing a motorbike (okada).

On reports of kidnapping and missing persons, ACP Jalloh stated that although reports have increased, the majority have proven to be false. Several arrests have been made in connection with misleading reports, with some defendants already charged to court.

He further addressed the ongoing investigation into allegations of incitement and cyberstalking involving APC Secretary General, Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya, in relation to President H.E. Dr Julius Maada Bio. The matter, he said, is being handled by the Police Cyber Unit.

Deputy Head of the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abass Bangura Esq., presented suspects linked to drug and human trafficking offences. Six individuals were arrested for possession of illegal drugs, including kush and suspected cannabis sativa. In a separate operation, nine Liberian nationals were arrested for allegedly trafficking persons from Liberia into Sierra Leone under the false pretext of facilitating travel to Canada.

Head of Media and Public Relations, ACP Brima Kamara Esq., presented enforcement statistics for the past two weeks across six regions: 180 raids conducted, 36 cases under investigation, eight suspects charged to court, 17 warned and released, 14 transferred to TOCU, and one transferred to CID.