Freetown, Sierra Leone – January 21, 2025 – Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, former presidential candidate for the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP), has raised critical questions regarding the recent discovery of an abandoned vessel near Yenkain Beach in the Black Johnson coastal area.
In his post, Mansaray criticized the explanation provided by the security sector, claiming there may be more to the story than disclosed.
He wrote:
“Julius Maada Bio’s Security Sector don report thru a press release that they have searched an abandoned vessel resembling a customized mini-submarine at Yenkain Beach in the Black Johnson community and nothing of police interest was found. Den people yaa think say all Sierra Leoneans are stupid? We all know say, the Cocaine and Drugs were removed and offloaded during the night when the vessel arrived. These are the type of vessels that carries Cocaine and Drugs from ships to shores. Questions for Bio’s Security Sector:
1. How did the customized submarine get to our shores in Freetown?
2. Didn’t this same Security Sector allow seven (7) briefcases of Cocaine with $100,000 to pass through countless checkpoints and the Sierra Leone-Guinea border control?
3. Where did this customized submarine vessel come from?
4. How did this vessel travel through our waters to reach Freetown’s shores?”
His comments come amidst an ongoing investigation by Sierra Leonean authorities after the unusual vessel was discovered abandoned at Yenkain Beach on January 18, 2025.
In a press release, the Media and Public Relations Department of the Sierra Leone Police confirmed that the Naval Wing had secured the vessel and transported it to the Murray Town Navy Base for inspection.
On January 19, a joint team conducted a thorough search of the vessel, cutting through its structure to examine its compartments. Officials reported that nothing of security interest was found on board.
The vessel is now in the custody of the Marine Wing of the Sierra Leone Police, and forensic analyses, including swab testing, are ongoing. Authorities have assured the public that updates on the investigation will be provided as they become available.
The Security Sector reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Sierra Leone’s territorial waters, stating,
“The security sector remains committed to providing an enabling environment for peace and security at all times.”
The discovery of the vessel and Mansaray’s allegations have sparked widespread debate, with many Sierra Leoneans calling for greater transparency and accountability from the government. As the investigation continues, the critical questions raised by Mansaray are likely to remain at the forefront of public discourse.