Freetown, 19 November 2025 — The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Hon. Gregory O.W. Coleman has concluded a series of high-level engagements in Sierra Leone aimed at deepening cross-border security cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
During his visit, IGP Coleman paid courtesy calls on His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone; the Vice President and Chairman of the Police Council; the Attorney General and Minister of Justice; and the Minister of Internal Affairs. He also held bilateral meetings with the Executive Management Board of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and other key security sector institutions.
A major engagement held at the Bintumani International Conference Centre brought together senior government dignitaries and top security chiefs, including the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq.; the National Security Coordinator at the Office of National Security (ONS), Mr Abdulai Caulker; and representatives from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the National Fire Force (NFF), and the Sierra Leone Correctional Service.
Declaring the session open, the Inspector General of Police, Mr William Fayia Sellu, welcomed participants and revealed that invitations had been extended to both the Guinean and Liberian Police Chiefs. While the Guinean IGP could not attend, he commended IGP Coleman for honouring the invitation despite his tight schedule — a gesture he said underscores the longstanding historical and cultural bonds between Sierra Leone and Liberia.
IGP Sellu highlighted the core objective of the engagement: “to protect the people of both countries from external and internal threats”. He drew attention to expanding security challenges, particularly instability in the Sahel region, and stressed the importance of improving coordination along shared borders. He further proposed establishing direct communication lines between border police commanders to reduce bureaucratic delays during cross-border operations.
In his statement, IGP Coleman described the engagement as a reaffirmation of “a shared mission to strengthen the bond and make the two nations safer”. He identified cross-border criminality and human trafficking as key concerns driving his visit, noting that joint efforts are crucial to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring accountability.
ONS National Security Coordinator, Mr Caulker, praised the initiative as a timely step in reinforcing regional security collaboration within the Mano River Basin. He encouraged both police services to strengthen intelligence sharing, expand joint training opportunities, and enhance coordination in tackling transnational organised crime.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq., warned of increasing threats linked to Sahel instability and its impact on regional mobility. He stressed the need for stronger community involvement in shaping security strategies, noting that border communities must be “embedded in the process” for effective outcomes. He also acknowledged ongoing challenges such as legal inconsistencies across the sub-region but expressed optimism that broader cooperation could inspire meaningful policy reforms.
The meeting featured key presentations, including an overview of Sierra Leone’s National Security Architecture by the ONS; a briefing from the SLP Directorate of Corporate Affairs delivered by AIG Esther Mary Kaintor-Dukuray; and an expert presentation on Transnational Organised Crime by CSP Mohamed Krugba Allieu. A follow-up focus-group session allowed senior officers from both countries to exchange insights and consolidate operational understanding.
The engagement concluded with the signing of a Joint Communiqué by the leadership of the SLP and LNP, reaffirming a renewed commitment to collective security and enhanced cooperation across the Mano River Basin.
SLP Media Team
