Police & ONS To Commence “Operation Stop & Check”

The head of ONS (Office of National Security), Abdulai Caulker, and the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, have jointly called on Sierra Leonean citizens and foreign residents in Sierra Leone to endeavor to obtain their biometric National and Non-National ID cards before the deadline of 31st August, 2025.

According to them, the Police in collaboration with ONS and NCRA would embark on a “stop and check” for ID cards very soon. “The law will deal with anyone found without a valid National or Non-National ID Card”, the ONS boss warned.

The Inspector General of Police clarified that all their services, including police clearance and character check can only be obtained with the presentation of a valid National or Non-National ID cards.

The Director General of NCRA, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, disclosed that NCRA mobile teams have started going to communities and chiefdoms to issue National and Non-National ID cards to eligible applicants.

He added that the cost of the ID cards will increase after 31st August, 2025 to reflect the increased cost of production.

Mr. Massaquoi encouraged both Sierra Leonean citizens and foreign nationals resident in Sierra Leone to obtain their ID cards before the cut-off date of 31st August, 2025.

In order to access government services or financial services, citizens and foreign residents must be in possession of either a valid National or Non-National ID card.

The biometric ID card platform was launched by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio in January 2023.