Police Conduct 182 Raids, Hundreds Arrested in Two Weeks

Sierra Leone’s regional law enforcement agencies have carried out 182 raids over the past two weeks, resulting in hundreds of arrests and ongoing investigations, underscoring a vigorous but uneven effort to combat crime across the country.

The disclosure was made by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Brima Kamara, Esq, Head of Police Media, during the weekly police press briefing at the Police Officers Mess in Kingtom on Wednesday, 21 January 2026.

ACP Kamara highlighted the scale of operations, revealing both achievements and areas requiring urgent attention.

Freetown West: Conducted 3 raids resulting in 3 arrests. Three suspects remain under investigation, with no charges yet filed in court. No suspects were transferred to the Tactical Operations Command Unit (TOCU) or the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), nor were any warned and released.

Freetown East: Recorded 16 raids and 18 arrests, the highest number of detainees among all regions. Thirteen suspects are under investigation, and five were transferred to TOCU. No court charges have been filed yet.

North West: Completed 21 raids, resulting in 10 arrests. Three suspects have been charged in court, while seven remain under investigation. No transfers to TOCU or CID occurred.

North East: Conducted 22 raids, arresting 10 suspects. Two suspects have been charged in court, and eight were warned and released. There were no transfers to TOCU or CID.

South Region: Despite the lowest number of raids (69), the region has 4 suspects charged to court out of six arrests, with two others under investigation.

East Region: Reported 51 raids and a striking 99 arrests, an anomaly warranting further scrutiny. Of those detained, 11 were charged to court, 44 warned and released, and no transfers to TOCU or CID occurred.

ACP Kamara emphasized that the operations reflect the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order, while also highlighting the variability in arrests, charges, and judicial follow-ups across regions. He noted that the focus ranges from investigations and cautions to immediate prosecutions, depending on regional priorities and circumstances.