The Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu on Wednesday 22 March 2023 hosted the Gambian Commissioner on Small Arms and Light Weapons (Natcom SALW), Ebrima D. Savage at his George Street Office in Freetown.

The visit was led by Sierra Leone’s Commissioner for Small Arms and Light Weapons Mr. Binneh K. Conteh.

According to Binneh Conteh, the Team from the Gambia was in Sierra Leone to get firsthand information on how Sierra Leone’s Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission operates and interfaces with other institutions in the discharge of their duties.

He furthered that the Gambian counterpart Commission is expected to take back home best practices they would learn from Sierra Leone so as to enhance their operations.

The Commissioner spoke about the good relationship and cooperation his Commission continues to benefit from the Sierra Leone Police; which, he said, necessitated the visit to the IGP’s Office, so that the Team could get to learn about this synergy for replication back home in the Gambia.

The Inspector General of Police, having welcomed the delegation, comprehensively explained the specific roles played by the Police in the process of registration and issuance of small arms and light weapons to applicants.

He revealed that the SLP interlocks with the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission in the area of conducting background checks on all applicants’ character and integrity, with the view to determining their suitability to own a weapon.

He applauded the Team for the bold step they took to visit Sierra Leone and copy best practices that will aid their Commission’s operations.

Mr. Fayia Sellu concluded by wishing Ebrima D. Savage and his Team a happy stay in Sierra Leone, and climaxed the visit was the presentation of souvenirs to the visiting Team.

The Head of Delegation, Ebrima D. Savage thanked the IGP for taking time off his busy schedule to share with them pertinent information that is beneficial to the work of their Commission in the Gambia and promised to replicate all best practices shared with them whilst in Sierra Leone.

Members of the Gambian delegation included Mr. Abdoulie M. Kah from the Ministry of Defense, Alhaji Sheka – Staff Officer in the Ministry of Interior, and Mr. Abdoulie Duca – Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Defense.