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Seventeen people, including five women and a minor, have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal mining, unauthorised entry and other unlawful activities within the Outamba-Kilimi National Park (OKNP).
The arrests were made on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during a law enforcement patrol conducted by the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) and the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) as part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal activities in Sierra Leone’s protected areas.
The operation was led by the NPAA Executive Director and the Authority’s Law Enforcement and Compliance Manager, with support from personnel of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
All 17 suspects were apprehended during the operation and taken into custody for questioning. The five women among the suspects are currently assisting police with investigations at the Regional Police Headquarters in the North East Region, Mena Hills, Makeni.
The NPAA’s Law Enforcement and Compliance Manager said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the ongoing police investigations.
He described the arrests as part of intensified efforts to enforce environmental and protected-area laws and prevent activities capable of damaging the country’s natural resources.
The NPAA Executive Director also warned individuals involved in illegal activities within the Outamba-Kilimi National Park that the latest operation should serve as a strong warning.
He reaffirmed the Authority’s determination to strengthen law enforcement operations aimed at protecting protected areas and preserving the ecological integrity of Sierra Leone’s national parks.
The latest arrests underscore renewed efforts by environmental and security authorities to tackle illegal mining, unauthorised entry, encroachment and other unlawful activities within protected areas.
The NPAA further reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies and local communities to ensure the effective protection and sustainable management of Sierra Leone’s natural resources.
