By: Hope Times News Desk
Long-standing concerns over congestion, public safety and urban disorder in the heart of the capital took centre stage on Monday, 12 January 2026, as police intensified an operation to rid Central Freetown of illegal structures, street garages and abandoned vehicles choking major thoroughfares.
The coordinated exercise covered key commercial streets including Mend, Earl, Prince, Duke, Queen and Albert Streets areas that form the backbone of Freetown’s Central Business District. For years, these routes have suffered from unchecked encroachments that narrowed roadways, obstructed pedestrian movement and created security vulnerabilities.
The operation is being spearheaded by the Director of Operations of the Sierra Leone Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police John Martin Senesie, working closely with the Local Unit Commander for the Central Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police John Fayiah Tumbay, alongside other operational officers.
According to police authorities, the exercise targets illegal garages, unauthorised roadside structures and abandoned vehicles that have long outlived their use but remained fixtures on public roads. During the operation, several derelict vehicles were found to have been converted into makeshift refuse dumps, while others were reportedly used as hideouts and meeting points for criminal elements posing both public health and security risks.
Police say the crackdown aligns with the broader vision of the Inspector General of Police, Mr William Fayia Sellu, to restore order, improve traffic flow and enhance public safety within the capital’s busiest commercial zone. Officials stressed that reclaiming public spaces is critical not only for law enforcement but also for environmental sanitation and urban mobility.
Residents and business operators in Central Freetown have been urged to view the operation as a collective effort to promote sanity and lawful use of public spaces. The Director of Operations assured the public that the exercise will not be a one-off intervention but will continue until all illegal structures and abandoned vehicles are completely removed.
He further called on traders, property owners and motorists to cooperate fully with the police, emphasising that sustained public support is essential to maintaining order and ensuring that roads and pedestrian walkways remain accessible and safe for all in Freetown.