AYV News, November 5, 2025
Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has strongly warned citizens against the escalating occurrence of an illegal migration widely known as ‘Temple Run’.
He described the ugly development as “an increasingly dangerous practice in which young individuals attempt to seek improved opportunities abroad via irregular, illegal, and often life-threatening routes away from Sierra Leone”.
The President voiced profound concern over the rising number of youth undertaking hazardous journeys across deserts and seas. These journeys he said, frequently expose migrants to severe, life-threatening conditions.
He said many people who attempt these perilous migrations experience extreme hardships and are ultimately repatriated to Sierra Leone after failing to reach their intended destinations.
President Bio said, “Lives are being lost in the desert and at sea. We must remain and focus on national development in Sierra Leone,” while imploring citizens to contribute to local growth rather than risking their lives abroad.
Temple Run refers to the illicit migration of Sierra Leoneans and other West Africans attempting to reach Europe via the Sahara Desert. The name is derived from the popular mobile game Temple Run, symbolising the immense challenges and dangers inherent in the migrants’ journey.
The route is notoriously dangerous, characterised by unforgiving desert conditions, unpredictable weather, and the constant threat posed by human traffickers, making it one of the riskiest paths for young people pursuing better lives overseas.
President Bio urged all Sierra Leoneans to channel their skills and energy toward the nation’s reconstruction efforts, emphasising that strengthening local opportunities is key to preventing more young people from embarking on unsafe paths abroad.
He called for patience and collective action to forge a stronger, more secure future within Sierra Leone, where opportunities can be cultivated domestically rather than sought through life-threatening migration.
