Jendema Town – Sorogbema Chiefdom, Pujehun District, Sierra Leone/Liberia Border: Friday, October 10, 2025:
The leadership of Sierra Leone’s Security Sector has convened an important stakeholders meeting at Jendema Town, on the Sierra Leone/Liberia border in Sorogbema Chiefdom, Pujehun District. The meeting, which brought together relevant community stakeholders and security sector leaders, was convened to discuss strategies and share experiences in combating the alarming rise of illicit drug trafficking and other illegal activities across the border.
The National Security Coordinator (NSCoord), Office of National Security (ONS), Mr. Abdulai Caulker, who chaired the meeting, conveyed heartfelt greetings from His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Brig. (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, to the people of Sorogbema Chiefdom. The NSCoord underscored the significance of the purpose of the meeting, and described drug trafficking as a serious national threat that undermines the country’s international image. To strengthen the monitoring mechanism and ease the work of the operatives and the security sector, the NSCoord disclosed that four (04) Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) have been installed at the border.
He also announced that a new Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) has been developed, read and shared with Border Security Agencies for their necessary inputs and recommendations. The SoP will serve as a blue-print guide for all operations along border communities across Sierra Leone. He urged security personnel and community members to remain vigilant and collaborative in protecting the nation’s borders.
The NSCoord further highlighted the importance of collective accountability among security and law enforcement agencies, especially for those operating along border corridors. He noted that recent negative developments along the Jendema Border at the Manor River Bridge, have raised concerns with Sierra Leone’s Liberian counterparts, prompting the strategic engagement.
Appealing for local stakeholders’ support to the overall security efforts, the NSCoord encouraged the chiefs and members of the community on the need to collaborate with security forces by providing timely intelligence and security information to border operatives. He expressed that if the incidents of illicit activities are not halted as a matter of urgency, they risked tarnishing the hard-won reputation of the country.
The NSCoord called for coordinated and cooperative efforts among all agencies and stakeholders to combat the menace effectively. The NSCoord further announced that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has established a permanent presence at the border post in order to support ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and other related illicit cross border activities.
Regarding this development, the Executive Director, NDLEA, Mr. Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, confirmed that three (03) NDLEA personnel have been deployed immediately, with assurances from the Security Sector to equip them with the requisite working tools. Additionally, the ONS plans to upgrade its structure from Chiefdom Security Coordinator (CSCoord) to District Security Coordinator (DSCoord), for which an office space will be secured for the conduct of regular security meetings to enhance coordination and collaboration among the relevant stakeholders.
Representing the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Deputy Minister, Mr. David Fortune, commended Ambassador Eddie S. Massally and the Embassy for initiating such a timely engagement. He described illicit drug trafficking as a grave danger to public health, youth wellbeing, and national security. Mr. Fortune proposed several measures, including the establishment of operational cooperation frameworks, integrity systems such as staff rotation and regular audits, community watch groups, and harmonized cross-border joint patrols. He also emphasized the need for a stronger bilateral partnership with the Republic of Liberia.
Minister Fortune stressed the urgent need for a joint Sierra Leone-Liberia border team, and reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s (GoSL) commitment to the fight against drug trafficking. He concluded by recommending to the NSCoord the need for regular engagements between the CSCoord, Chiefs and community stakeholders, with a view to strengthening Chiefdom Security coordination and collaboration.
In his contribution, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Liberia, Ambassador Eddie S. Massally, thanked all participants for their attendance and stressed that the meeting was necessitated by the frequent drug seizures in Liberia, allegedly linked to Sierra Leone. He clarified that transshipments of goods from Sierra Leone, under the current policy, are not subject to checks, once cleared for transit, and therefore, Sierra Leone should not be blamed for drug consignments originating elsewhere. Ambassador Massally commended Mr. Mujiru Kallon, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Customs Officer assigned to the border, and Col. John Tucker, Defence Attaché, for their professionalism and dedication. He also highlighted the importance of community engagement through the Paramount Chief and his sub-chiefs, suggesting that small incentives could motivate them to be more proactive in surveillance and reporting. He concluded by expressing optimism that “if we work collaboratively, we are bound to win the fight against criminal drug cartels, just like we defeated the Ebola and Covid-19 epidemics and pandemics, which threatened our nation’s survival.”
The Executive Director, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that Sierra Leone is the first country in the sub-region to develop a strategic master plan for drug control. He announced the deployment of three NDLEA staff to the Jendema border and appealed for strong collaboration with local authorities. Mr. Kaikai called on citizens to protect the image of Sierra Leone, which he said President Bio has worked hard to restore internationally.
Mr. John Amara, Commissioner for Border Control Management at the NRA, praised the leadership of the Armed Forces under Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura, particularly for appointing a female Battalion Commander. He emphasized that while the NRA’s mandate is to collect revenue, maintaining open, yet secure borders is equally vital. Mr. Amara stressed the community and judiciary’s roles in prosecuting culprits, while reaffirming the NRA’s support for the SoP developed by ONS and announced upcoming training sessions for customs officers on drug detection and vehicle search procedures.
The Deputy Director General, Central Intelligence and Security Agency (CISA), Mr. Martin Lavahun, admonished the meeting to also focus on other forms of organized crime, such as human trafficking, financial scams and illegal arms trading, stressing that these are often linked to drug networks and pose broader security risks as well.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura, appealed for unity, patriotism, and vigilance. He announced plans to recruit 500 veterans nationwide, beginning February next year, to strengthen border security and intelligence operations. He urged all to pay keen attention not only to major crossing points, but also to minor routes, which are often used by motorbikes for smuggling. “We must all be our brothers’ keepers,” he said, noting that Sierra Leone’s peace is “priceless and must be protected at all costs.”
Representing the Immigration Department, Mr. Samuel H. Kallon stressed the need for inter-agency cooperation at the borders, encouraging officers to work as a team and consult relevant authorities whenever issues arise outside their direct mandate.
The Local Unit Commander, Bo Waterside Police Division, CSP Unisa Ben Mohamed, thanked the Embassy for convening the meeting and called on the Paramount Chief and community residents to support the security agencies by being alert and reporting suspicious activities.
In his closing comments, the Paramount Chief of Sorogbema Chiefdom, PC Mustapha J. Massaquoi, pledged to implement the recommendations discussed during the meeting. He assured security authorities of the community’s full cooperation, and requested modest support to help motivate local chiefs engaged in anti-drug surveillance efforts.
The meeting concluded with shared commitments among all participants to strengthen cross-border collaboration, enhance intelligence sharing, and intensify community engagement in order to decisively tackle the menace of illicit drug trafficking along the Sierra Leone/Liberia border.
The NSCoord brought the meeting to an end by thanking participants and wishing safe travels to their respective destinations
End
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