Post a comment A total of 145 Sierra Leonean citizens who had been residing in Mauritania have been repatriated to Sierra Leone due to ongoing challenges associated with irregular migration.
Superintendent Mohamed Kugba Alieu, Head of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), confirmed the repatriation, noting that the returnees had encountered complex migratory challenges. Many had left Sierra Leone years earlier in search of stability, employment, and improved living conditions, but unforeseen circumstances and the dangers of cross-border travel led them into difficult situations in Mauritania.
Superintendent Alieu made the announcement during the regular police press briefing held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Kingtom in Freetown, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
He explained that while Mauritania had served as a temporary refuge for some, it had become a place of despair for others, where dreams were deferred and hope diminished. “The repatriation serves as a poignant reminder of the precarious balance between seeking opportunities and the risks associated with illegal migration,” he said.
“These individuals are not criminals but citizens who sought better opportunities, which is why we provided counseling and reunited them with their families,” Superintendent Alieu added.
Meanwhile, following the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the NCRA team issued identity documents to the 145 Sierra Leonean returnees upon arrival at the Old Lungi International Airport on October 7, 2025.
Superintendent Alieu also emphasized the importance of strengthening border controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. He described the repatriation as more than a logistical exercise, calling it a stark reminder of the human cost embedded within the complex dynamics of migration.
