A 34-year-old man has been arrested by officers of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) after he was allegedly found in possession of an unlicensed locally fabricated pistol loaded with 16 rounds of live ammunition during a routine checkpoint operation at Waterloo in the Western Area.
The suspect, identified as Tejan Jabbie of New London, Kossoh Town, Freetown, was arrested on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, by officers attached to the Waterloo Checkpoint under the Waterloo Police Division. The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Local Unit Commander, Superintendent Bankolay Mansaray, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and curb the movement of illegal weapons into the capital.
According to police, Jabbie was travelling in a vehicle bearing registration number ARQ 600 when officers stopped the vehicle for a routine search. During the inspection, officers allegedly recovered a locally manufactured pistol together with 16 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside the vehicle.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody, while the recovered firearm and ammunition were secured as exhibits. Police subsequently transferred Jabbie, along with the recovered items, to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), where investigators have commenced further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the alleged possession of the weapon. He is expected to face prosecution if sufficient evidence is established.
The arrest comes at a time when security agencies have intensified surveillance and checkpoint operations across major entry and exit routes into Freetown amid growing concerns over the circulation of illegal firearms. Authorities have repeatedly warned that the proliferation of unlicensed weapons remains a significant threat to public safety and national security, with concerns that such arms could be used to facilitate violent crimes and other criminal activities.
Reaffirming the police’s commitment to tackling illegal arms trafficking, Superintendent Bankolay Mansaray said checkpoint operations would remain a key component of the division’s crime prevention strategy. He stressed that officers would continue conducting intelligence-led searches and patrols aimed at intercepting unlawful weapons and ensuring the safety of residents.
“We will continue to strengthen our checkpoint operations across all entry and exit points. We remain determined to prevent illegal firearms from finding their way into our communities and will take decisive action against anyone found violating the law,” the police commander said.
The Sierra Leone Police has also appealed to members of the public to support ongoing security efforts by reporting any suspicious movement of firearms or other criminal activities to the nearest police station, assuring citizens that all credible information would be treated with confidentiality. Investigations into the matter are continuing.