AYV News, April 14, 2026
The Sierra Leone Police has dismantled a suspected criminal syndicate involved in the theft of commercial motorbikes and tricycles (kekehs) following a targeted operation in the eastern part of the capital.
The breakthrough, led by officers at the Kissy Divisional Headquarters, resulted in the recovery of several stolen vehicles during a raid on a residence at No. 1 Railway Line, Rokupa. Police confirmed that seven kekehs and seven motorbikes, along with related accessories believed to be used in the illegal operations, were seized.
According to police reports, the operation was launched after a violent robbery incident on April 7, 2026, in which a commercial operator, Mohamed Santigie Kamara, was attacked with a machete and sustained serious injuries. The incident prompted intensified investigations, leading to the arrest of a suspect identified as Mohamed Bangura.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed and provided critical information that exposed the existence of a wider criminal network. Acting on this intelligence, police traced a location believed to be used as a storage facility for stolen vehicles and carried out a successful raid.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to apprehend other members of the syndicate, including a suspect identified only as “Zipo,” who remains at large.
The police have called on members of the public who may have lost motorbikes or kekehs to visit the Kissy Divisional Headquarters with valid documentation to identify and reclaim their property.
Security officials described the operation as a significant step in combating organized crime and enhancing public safety, particularly for commercial transport operators who have increasingly become targets of theft and violence in recent months.
