“We’re Still Looking for Umar Sheriff/Jos Leijdekkers” — ONS Communications Director Reveals
The Office of National Security (ONS) says it is still searching for individuals identified as Umar Sheriff and Jos Leijdekkers, as authorities continue efforts to combat drug trafficking and related criminal networks in Sierra Leone.
Speaking on AYV’s State of the Nation programme hosted by journalist Umaru Fofana, ONS Communications Director Abdul Karim Will said the security authorities remain interested in locating the individuals and appealed to the public to provide any information that could assist the authorities.
“We have been looking for Umar Sheriff/Jos Leijdekkers and we will continue to look out for him,” Will stated.
He urged members of the public with information concerning either name to come forward, assuring that such information would be handled by the relevant authorities.
On the case involving Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, Will said the matter remains under investigation by the Attorney-General’s Office.
“The Jos Leijdekkers situation is under investigation and the Attorney-General’s Office is fully seized of this information. I am aware that a thorough investigation has been conducted in that direction,” he said.
ONS Details Measures Against Drug Trafficking
Will also shed light on measures being implemented by the Government to combat drug trafficking, noting that Sierra Leone has, over the years, successfully investigated, prosecuted and convicted individuals involved in drug-related offences, including cocaine trafficking.
He stressed that drug trafficking networks are highly organised and sophisticated, often exploiting weaknesses within security and enforcement systems.
According to him, tackling the threat therefore requires a coordinated and responsive approach involving national security and law-enforcement institutions.
The ONS Communications Director maintained that security agencies remain committed to disrupting drug trafficking networks and strengthening mechanisms to prevent Sierra Leone from being exploited as a transit point for illicit drugs.
The revelation that authorities are still searching for Umar Sheriff/Jos Leijdekkers is likely to renew public interest in the country’s ongoing efforts to unravel suspected international drug-trafficking networks.
