By: Oman Boys Sesay
Sierra Leone has once again found itself at the center of international controversy, this time over claims that Europe’s most wanted fugitive, Jos Leijdekkers—alias “Bolle Jos”—has been hiding within its borders under the identity of Umar Sheriff. However, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have pushed back against the swirling allegations, pointing to a lack of evidence and the dangers of misinformation that unfairly cast the country as a haven for criminals.
During a press conference on February 4 at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu addressed the growing speculation. He confirmed that the SLP’s Open Source Investigation Unit had identified the man in the widely circulated image as Umar Sheriff but noted a significant inconsistency—there is no official record of Sheriff’s entry into Sierra Leone in the past six months.
“We don’t have that name in our records,” IGP Sellu stated, emphasizing that the police have conducted multiple raids in search of Sheriff, yet no concrete evidence has emerged linking him to the country’s criminal landscape.
The controversy surrounding Sheriff comes at a time when Sierra Leone is making strides to enhance its law enforcement capabilities and international reputation. Yet, reports from international media—including Reuters—have fueled speculation that Leijdekkers has been living in Sierra Leone under high-level protection. A particularly striking claim suggests that he was even spotted attending a church service in Tihun on January 1, 2025, seated two rows behind President Julius Maada Bio.
Such allegations, however, remain unverified, and the Sierra Leonean authorities have questioned the motives behind these reports. Is Sierra Leone being unfairly dragged into a global manhunt without solid proof? Or is this a deliberate attempt to undermine the country’s credibility?
Sierra Leone is no stranger to the challenges posed by transnational crime, but law enforcement officials stress that they are committed to upholding the rule of law and will not allow the country’s name to be tarnished by unproven claims. The IGP highlighted that, even as the police investigate this matter, they are also engaged in a separate cross-border operation following a major cocaine bust in Guinea.
“Our team has been in Conakry since Saturday, conducting extensive inquiries. Our primary goal is to access the suspects and piece together the sequence of events that led to their arrest,” IGP Sellu explained.
The connection between these two cases remains unclear, yet the narrative being shaped in international media suggests a broader web of illicit activities implicating Sierra Leone. The authorities, however, argue that much of this is speculation rather than fact.
As Sierra Leone grapples with the weight of these allegations, IGP Sellu has called for international support—not only to combat transnational crime but also to counteract the spread of misinformation that unfairly paints the country in a negative light.
“We need support in capacity building to enhance our ability to tackle cross-border criminal activities, not just within Sierra Leone but across the sub-region,” he noted.
For now, Sierra Leone finds itself caught in the crosshairs of a global crime story—one that raises serious questions about the accuracy of the information being circulated. While the police continue their investigations, one thing is clear: the country must remain vigilant, not only against criminal networks but also against narratives that could undermine its progress on the international stage.
The Independent New Sierra Leone will continue to provide updates as more details unfold.
