A suspected cross-border human trafficking operation involving dozens of women and children has prompted renewed calls for stronger border security, intelligence sharing, and coordinated law enforcement action across Sierra Leone.
The development came to the forefront following an oversight visit by the Minister of Internal Affairs, AIG (Rtd.) Morie Lengor Esq., to the headquarters of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) at Hastings, Freetown, where he received detailed updates on an ongoing investigation into an alleged trafficking syndicate believed to have been operating across multiple districts.
The case emerged after security personnel and border officials stationed at the Boidu border crossing point in Kailahun District intercepted a bus carrying an unusually large number of passengers. Authorities reported that 63 individuals, comprising women and children alongside a few adult men, were found crowded inside the vehicle under circumstances that immediately raised suspicions of possible human trafficking.
Following the interception, the vehicle was impounded and the matter was reported to senior security officials. Initial questioning of the driver and some of the passengers reportedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the purpose of the journey and the circumstances surrounding the movement of such a large group.
As a result, the suspected victims were first taken to the Kenema Police Station before being transferred to the headquarters of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit in Freetown for specialized investigations. Security officials explained that the transfer was necessary due to TOCU’s expertise in handling complex cases involving transnational crime, human trafficking networks, and organized criminal activities.
During a high-level briefing at TOCU headquarters, Minister Lengor emphasized the need for stronger border enforcement mechanisms and enhanced intelligence-sharing among security institutions. He directed law enforcement agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying all individuals connected to the alleged trafficking operation and dismantling any criminal network involved.
The Minister further instructed that appropriate psychosocial support and welfare services be provided to the recovered victims while investigations continue.
According to Minister Lengor, the successful interception demonstrates the importance of vigilance among security personnel and highlights the critical role law enforcement officers play in protecting vulnerable citizens. He noted that effective policing extends beyond routine traffic management and includes identifying suspicious movements and responding swiftly to potential threats, particularly along border corridors.
He stressed that human trafficking remains a serious crime that undermines human dignity and national security, adding that perpetrators must face the full force of the law.
In his concluding remarks, the Minister called for a streamlined operational framework that would facilitate swift prosecution of human trafficking suspects. He suggested that anti-trafficking efforts should mirror the aggressive legal approaches often employed against drug trafficking networks. He also commended the Sierra Leone Police, TOCU, immigration authorities, and other security agencies for their prompt response and continued collaboration in addressing the matter.
Supporting the Minister’s position, AIG Brima Kanneh, Regional Commander for Freetown-East, and Local Unit Commander Bankolay Mansaray disclosed that law enforcement authorities have intensified targeted operations and public awareness campaigns throughout the Waterloo area, which investigators believe may be linked to some of the activities under investigation.
The Head of TOCU, Deputy Chief Superintendent of Police Rev. Michael J.K. Laggah, described the case as a matter requiring urgent and decisive action. He warned that human trafficking continues to pose a significant threat to vulnerable communities and emphasized the need to break the operations of those responsible.
Drawing from ongoing investigations and previous cases, Rev. Laggah identified Waterloo, particularly the Coal Town community, as an area that has repeatedly featured in reports connected to alleged trafficking activities. He therefore called for stronger community engagement and increased surveillance to prevent future incidents.
Providing further details of the case, Inspector Felicia R. Sofiana, a supervisor attached to TOCU, revealed that investigators received a total of 63 alleged victims from Kenema Police Station on 6 June 2026. The group consisted of four adult men, nineteen women, eighteen girls, and twenty-two boys.
According to statements obtained during the investigation, many of the individuals originated from Waterloo in Freetown and were reportedly travelling overland to Senegal under the promise of better economic opportunities and improved livelihoods.
Investigators disclosed that some victims identified two individuals, Madam Isata Samura and Yady Mansaray, as suspected organizers of the journey. Authorities allege that the suspects may have played leading roles in coordinating the movement of the group.
Preliminary findings further suggest that promises relating to potential recruitment opportunities associated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) may have been used to encourage some of the travellers to embark on the journey. However, investigators have emphasized that inquiries remain ongoing and that all allegations are subject to verification through the due legal process.
The Minister was accompanied during the visit by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs David Fortune and Senior Technical Adviser Amadu Mannah. Both officials expressed support for stronger inter-agency collaboration and called for rigorous investigations aimed at uncovering the full scope of the alleged trafficking network.
As investigations continue, authorities have assured the public that every effort is being made to establish the facts, protect the victims, and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought before the courts. The case has also renewed national discussions about the dangers of human trafficking, irregular migration, and the need for sustained public awareness to protect vulnerable citizens from exploitation.