Nationwide Security Raids Expose Gaps in Prosecution as Only Eight Suspects Charged

Law enforcement agencies across Sierra Leone have carried out a sweeping nationwide crackdown over the past two weeks, conducting a total of 180 raids across the country’s six regions in an effort to curb rising criminal activities.

While the operation underscores a proactive security posture, emerging statistics reveal significant challenges within the arrest-to-prosecution process.

In the capital, Freetown, both the Western Area West and East regions recorded 16 raids each.

In Freetown West, nine suspects were arrested, yet none have been charged to court. Some were released with warnings, while others were transferred to specialised units for further investigation. Similarly, Freetown East recorded 19 arrests from its raids, but no suspect has so far been formally charged, with several still under investigation or transferred for specialised processing.

The North West region conducted 13 raids, leading to the arrest of nine suspects. However, only one suspect has been charged to court, raising concerns over delays or gaps in prosecutorial follow-through. In contrast, the North East region recorded the highest number of raids nationwide 31 in total resulting in eight arrests, four of which have been charged to court.

The Southern region carried out the most extensive operation, with 89 raids conducted. Despite this, only 19 suspects were arrested, and none has been charged to court. All remain under investigation, prompting questions about the pace and transparency of judicial processes.

Meanwhile, the Eastern region conducted 15 raids, arresting 12 suspects, of whom three have been charged to court, while others were either warned and released or remain under investigation.

Overall, nationwide figures show that the 180 raids resulted in 36 suspects currently under investigation, eight charged to court, and 17 warned and released. Only one suspect was transferred to the Counter-Terrorism Unit (TOCU), while a single case was referred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

While the scale of the operations reflects a strong commitment to maintaining law and order, the relatively low number of suspects charged to court just eight nationwide has sparked public concern over the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. Observers are questioning whether investigations are progressing swiftly enough, whether prosecutorial mechanisms are functioning effectively, or whether procedural gaps are allowing suspects to evade accountability.

As Sierra Leone intensifies its fight against crime, these figures highlight the urgent need for a more transparent, efficient, and accountable justice system one that not only conducts high-profile raids but also ensures timely prosecution and the consistent delivery of justice. Public confidence in law enforcement, analysts warn, ultimately depends on it.