ONS Looking for Bolle Jos While His Alleged Associates Remain in Plain Sight — Or Is It Playing a Hypocrisy Game?

By Staff Writer

The Office of National Security (ONS) has come under renewed scrutiny over its assertion that security agencies are still searching for Dutch fugitive and alleged international drug kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos,” despite publicly circulated videos and reports allegedly linking him to prominent personalities in Sierra Leone.

Questions are now being raised about whether the security establishment is genuinely pursuing leads that could assist in locating Leijdekkers or whether authorities are, as critics argue, playing what appears to be a “hide-and-seek” game.

Publicly circulated video footage has allegedly shown Leijdekkers in the company of Sierra Leone’s former Chief Immigration Officer, Alusine Kanneh, on separate occasions.

One widely circulated video, reportedly recorded around January 2023, allegedly captured a nightclub altercation involving Leijdekkers and another individual. The footage appeared to show former Chief Immigration Officer Alusine Kanneh intervening during the incident.

Another video, which reportedly surfaced publicly in early 2025 but was allegedly recorded in June 2024, appeared to show Leijdekkers presenting a birthday gift to Kanneh at Lor restaurant in Freetown. Another prominent individual, Andrew Jai Kaikai, was also reportedly present.

The circulation of the footage generated significant public debate and renewed questions about how an internationally wanted fugitive could allegedly move freely and associate with influential personalities within Sierra Leone.

Following the public controversy surrounding the videos, former Immigration Chief Alusine Kanneh was subsequently removed from his position.

Despite these publicly available developments, the ONS recently maintained that security forces are still searching for the whereabouts of Bolle Jos.

ONS Communications Director Abdul Karim Will, in a recent public statement, said security agencies remained on the lookout for the fugitive and encouraged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in locating him.

However, the statement has attracted criticism from observers who argue that investigators should explore every available lead, including questioning individuals who may have had contact or association with the fugitive.

Security analysts contacted for comment argued that law enforcement agencies investigating a fugitive can seek information from persons known to have interacted with or been associated with the individual, provided such engagements are conducted in accordance with the law and established investigative procedures.

According to the analysts, inviting individuals for questioning does not automatically imply criminal responsibility but could assist investigators in establishing timelines, movements, contacts and possible locations.

Critics are therefore questioning whether the ONS and other security agencies have exhausted all available investigative avenues.

“How can authorities repeatedly appeal to the public for information when publicly circulated materials have allegedly shown the fugitive interacting with prominent individuals?” one observer questioned.

The central issue, therefore, is whether Sierra Leone’s security authorities have thoroughly followed every credible lead in their search for Bolle Jos.

The ONS owes the public continued clarity on the extent of the investigation, particularly given the seriousness of allegations surrounding the presence and activities of an internationally wanted alleged drug trafficker in the country.

While association with a person of interest does not in itself establish criminal wrongdoing, investigators have a responsibility to pursue credible leads wherever they may lead.

As questions continue to mount, the public will be watching closely to see whether the search for Bolle Jos is being pursued with the urgency and thoroughness the matter demands.

More details on this developing investigation will follow in subsequent publications.