By: Kadiatu Sankoh
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, has provided an update on the ongoing Open Source Investigation into recent cocaine allegations and other security matters. Speaking during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Miatta Conference Centre, IGP Sellu addressed various allegations, including the suspected drug kingpin, Jos Leijdekkers, the Sierra Leone Ambassador to Guinea, a fibre boat found at Black Johnson, a makeshift submarine spotted at Tombo, and an unauthorized aircraft.
He revealed that the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has reactivated a specialized Open Source Investigation Unit under government directives to probe these allegations. He explained that open-source investigations involve the collection and analysis of publicly available data, sourced from websites, newspapers, social media, and other platforms to generate actionable intelligence. IGP Sellu commended Sierra Leoneans for actively sharing information that aids the police in their investigations.
Addressing the allegations surrounding Jos Leijdekkers, he clarified that the SLP has not received any official communication from any foreign entity, including INTERPOL, regarding the suspected drug lord. However, through open-source intelligence, the police have identified the individual in question as Omarr Sheriff.
Investigators traced social media claims suggesting that the suspect had been living in Freetown for the past six months. To verify this, they reviewed formal entry records from all official border points over the past six months, but no such name was found. The police have conducted searches in multiple locations suspected to have housed the individual, and remain committed to tracking him down. IGP Sellu urged the public to provide any relevant information to support the investigation.
IGP Sellu further updated the public on an ongoing investigation in Guinea concerning individuals intercepted with a vehicle belonging to the Sierra Leone Embassy, allegedly carrying substances suspected to be cocaine. A delegation, comprising officials from the Sierra Leone Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and other government representatives, including Foreign Minister, Timothy Kabba, traveled to Guinea on Saturday, February 1, 2025, to assess the situation. The delegation will spend a week gathering facts, after which the government will provide further updates upon their return to Freetown. Despite remaining in Sierra Leone, IGP Sellu assured the public of his active involvement in facilitating the investigative process.
IGP Sellu also addressed concerns surrounding the unauthorized aircraft that landed at Freetown International Airport, the makeshift submarine boat spotted at Tombo, and the fibre boat found floating at Black Johnson. Forensic examinations and ASWAP tests conducted on these items yielded negative results for any illicit substances or activities. However, the unauthorized aircraft was fined $100,000, which has since been paid.
The Inspector General emphasized the need for enhanced police capacity to effectively carry out their duties. He called on development partners to support Sierra Leone in strengthening its security capabilities, particularly in combating transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and other security threats.
Moving forward, IGP Sellu announced that he would be providing weekly updates at the Ministry’s press briefings to ensure transparency and keep the public informed on these critical security issues.