The Sierra Leone Police has issued a Public Notice informing that the Security Sector is now set to implement strict enforcement of a Ban on boats and canoes landing at night along the various waterfronts of Sierra Leone.
The police say they have credible intelligence about pre-planned acts of subversion that will see night time movements of persons and items through waterways.
Starting on this Friday September 1st 2023, no waterfronts can be used to berth or take off sea transports if it is passed 7pm. And such waterfront movements can only commence when day breaks. However, the release did not state what time in the morning is considered as the time allowed for movements to resume in the mornings at the wharves and waterfronts.
However, it is cautioned that any person attempting to use such waterfronts after 7pm will face full force of the Law.
The full text of the release reads as follows:
Police Headquarters, George Street, Freetown – 29th August, 2023. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is concerned that locally made boats and canoes operate and berth at wharves across the country at night, in the guise of involving in either sea transportation or fishing activities. In as much as these activities are complementing the transport and fishing sectors, leaving these operations unchecked within wharves have far reaching security implications.
It is against this backdrop that the SLP on Tuesday 29th August, 2023, engaged all stakeholders with the view to examine the threats posed by these night operations in wharves across the country.
The meeting however concludes that credible intelligence so far received points to the fact that unscrupulous people have plans to exploit the current situation to their advantage by using these wharves at night to carry out clandestine activities.
Cognizant to the security threats posed, the SLP wishes to announce the following measures:
# Effective Friday 1st September, 2023, all boats are banned from using, berthing or anchoring at any wharf across the country after 7pm.
# That the SLP, working with other ministries, departments and agencies, will intensify monitoring and security checks at all wharves across the country.
# The SLP is therefore urging strict compliance as defaulters will be made to face the full force of the law.
