Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement, authorities have captured Kandeh Sesay, a key suspect linked to the daring prison escape during the failed coup attempt on November 26, 2023.
The arrest occurred late on January 27, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to apprehend those involved in the chaotic events that shook the nation.
Sesay, labeled by officials as a hardened criminal, had been on the run since breaking out of the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre amid the unrest.
Police sources indicate that his capture was the result of meticulous intelligence-driven operations targeting areas in Freetown’s Mount Aureol and Leicester neighborhoods.
This development comes as Sierra Leone continues to grapple with the aftermath of the 2023 incident, which saw armed assailants storm military armories and prisons, leading to the release of numerous inmates.
The November 26 events, widely regarded as an attempted overthrow of the government, resulted in widespread violence and the escape of over 2,000 prisoners from Pademba Road. While many have since been recaptured or turned themselves in, high-profile fugitives like Sesay have remained elusive until now.
Authorities have not yet disclosed specific charges against Sesay beyond his role in the jailbreak, but investigations are ongoing to determine any deeper connections to the coup plotters.
This arrest underscores the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to restoring order and holding accountable those who exploited the turmoil.
Further details are expected as the case progresses through the courts.
