ONS Boss Declares Sierra Leone One of World’s Most Peaceful Nations

The National Security Coordinator of the Office of National Security (ONS), Abdulai Caulker, has strongly defended the state of national security in Sierra Leone, declaring the country one of the most peaceful nations in the world.

Speaking during a comprehensive national security update, Mr. Caulker praised the efforts of the security management team and addressed concerns surrounding decentralized security structures, while also dismissing what he described as misinformation circulating on social media.

Highlighting the framework of Sierra Leone’s intelligence and security system, the ONS boss explained that national security is not managed solely by the ONS, but through a decentralized structure involving multiple sub-institutions and local committees.

He noted that these structures are designed to maintain law and order at all levels of society, with many of the community-based security mechanisms headed by Paramount Chiefs, who play a key role in intelligence gathering, conflict resolution, and early warning systems.

Mr. Caulker stated that the security sector has performed effectively in safeguarding the country through enhanced inter-agency collaboration and operational coordination.

According to him, these efforts have helped to mitigate internal threats and maintain national stability, allowing citizens to continue enjoying peace across the country.

“Sierra Leone remains one of the most peaceful countries in the world,” he stated, adding that the prevailing peace is evidence of the efficiency and commitment of the security sector in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.

A significant part of the briefing focused on what Mr. Caulker described as a rising trend of anti-state propaganda and fake news targeting the ONS and other security institutions.

He specifically referenced recent online publications, alleging that misleading images, blog posts, and defamatory narratives were being circulated with the intent to cause panic and undermine public confidence.

To address this challenge, the National Security Coordinator called for sustained sensitization of journalists on the mandate, operations, and structure of the ONS.

He urged media practitioners to verify information directly with the institution rather than relying on unverified social media sources.

Mr. Caulker emphasized that strengthening collaboration with the press would help reduce sensational reporting, improve accuracy in public communication, and ultimately safeguard the country’s hard-won peace.

The ONS says it remains committed to maintaining national stability through coordination, intelligence sharing, and community-based security engagement.