1 Comment 
Calm was swiftly restored in Bo City on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, following brief tension triggered by concerns from commercial motorbike riders over an increase in daily ticket fees from Le 2 to Le 5.
The situation, which had the potential to escalate, was promptly brought under control through the intervention of the Sierra Leone Police and other security stakeholders, ensuring public order and the continuation of normal activities in the city.
Acting on behalf of the Regional Police Commander South, the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of Bo West Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Augustine Kabia, led a dialogue with the aggrieved riders. The engagement was held in collaboration with the Bo District Security Coordinator from the Office of National Security (ONS), Mr Suahibu Koroma.
Addressing the riders, CSP Kabia emphasised the importance of effective communication and public sensitisation in the implementation of policies affecting large groups of people. He stated that the executives of the commercial motorbike riders’ union should have carried out widespread awareness campaigns before the introduction of the new ticket price.
According to CSP Kabia, early and proactive engagement with riders would have helped to reduce misunderstandings and resistance and ensured smoother implementation of the new fee structure.
The motorbike riders, while maintaining a calm posture during the engagement, raised questions about the benefits they had received under the previous Le 2 ticket system. They also sought clarification on the additional advantages they would enjoy with the new Le 5 ticket arrangement.
Security officials said the open dialogue helped to ease tensions and address immediate concerns raised by the riders. The presence and professional handling of the matter by the police and ONS officials prevented any disruption to public order.
Following the engagement, normal commercial and social activities resumed across Bo City, with security authorities continuing to monitor the situation to ensure sustained calm.
The Sierra Leone Police reiterated their commitment to peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and urged stakeholders to prioritise communication when introducing changes that affect the livelihoods of citizens.
AN OPEN APPEAL TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE AND THE ACC COMMISSIONER, MR. FRANCIS BEN KAIFALA 🇸🇱
We, the bike riders of Sierra Leone, are raising our collective voice in concern over the ongoing issues surrounding the so-called “Bike Riders Union.” This union, which claims to represent our interests, has unfortunately caused us more hardship than support.
The recent increase in the daily ticket fee from NLe 2 to NLe 5 is a heavy burden on riders, especially given that there is *no transparency, no accountability, and no visible benefits* for the bike riding community. We strongly believe the funds collected are not being deposited into any official government account but are instead being misappropriated — a clear act of corruption.
*Your Excellency,* we humbly appeal to you to intervene and investigate the operations of this union. We ask that justice, fairness, and accountability be restored. As hardworking citizens striving to make a living, we deserve better.
Furthermore, we wish to remind the public and authorities that *joining a union is not by force*. What should truly be required of every bike rider is to *license their motorbike* and obtain a *valid driver’s license* — these are the contributions that benefit the nation through legal and traceable means.
But these daily ticket collections, which lack transparency, serve no such national interest. We plead for your action to protect the rights and dignity of thousands of bike riders across Sierra Leone.
*Thank you. May God bless Sierra Leone. 🇸🇱*
*Inked by Sillah Sulaiman*