Sierra Leonean reality television personality Hawa Hunt has revealed that she previously worked as an information gatherer for a United States intelligence service, a disclosure that has raised concerns about national security and the legal risks associated with intelligence activities for foreign governments.

Hunt made the statement while responding to comments by Business Development Consultant Mulku Bangura during a radio programme in Freetown in late December 2025. Bangura had noted that U.S. intelligence agencies maintain awareness of developments in Sierra Leone through local information sources who reportedly provide regular briefings.

In response, Hunt said she had once served in such a capacity.

“I was working for them as an intelligence officer in Freetown years ago,” Hunt noted in a Facebook page hosting the programme. She added that she participated in weekly briefing sessions and that her role was largely unknown to those around her.

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“Most people saw me as just an ordinary young lady,” she said. “It was a very dangerous job but very eye-opening.”

Hunt did not specify which U.S. agency she worked with, and her claims have not been independently verified. However, U.S. intelligence operations abroad are commonly associated with agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Security analysts and legal experts warn that gathering intelligence for a foreign nation carries serious risks, both personally and legally. Under national security laws in Sierra Leone and many other countries, unauthorised intelligence gathering or sharing sensitive national information with foreign entities can constitute espionage or treason.

Convictions for such offences can result in lengthy prison sentences, reputational damage, and long-term surveillance by authorities. In addition to legal consequences, intelligence informants often face significant personal danger, including threats to their safety, intimidation, and possible retaliation if their identities are exposed.

Experts also caution that foreign intelligence operatives and informants may become targets during political tensions, diplomatic disputes, or internal security investigations. Beyond individual risk, such activities can strain diplomatic relations between nations if they are perceived as interference in domestic affairs.

Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Government is yet to issue a statement over the matter.

Hunt resides in Canada where she carries a Canadian citizenship.