Freetown – The Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, has confirmed that the man seen in a viral video, initially speculated to be Dutch fugitive Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers, is actually identified as Umarr Sheriff.
The announcement came during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing.
The clarification follows a Reuters report alleging that Leijdekkers, one of the Netherlands’ most wanted drug traffickers, had been spotted in Sierra Leone at a public event alongside high-ranking government officials. The report raised concerns about the fugitive’s possible presence in the country.
Key Updates from the Ongoing Investigation
1. No International Alerts: The Sierra Leone Police confirmed they have not received any official notifications from foreign governments regarding wanted individuals in the country. No red alerts have been issued.
2. Open-Source Investigation: Investigators uncovered a photograph of a man named Omar Sheriff attending a church service, prompting further scrutiny into his identity.
3. Six-Month Residency Rumors: Unverified reports suggest that Omar Sheriff has been residing in Sierra Leone for approximately six months. However, his current location remains unknown, and police are calling on the public for any relevant information.
4. Immigration Checks: A review of immigration and travel records over the past six months found no official documentation of Omar Sheriff’s entry or exit from Sierra Leone.
5. Guinea Embassy Vehicle Incident: A team of investigators has been dispatched to Guinea to probe an incident involving an embassy vehicle reportedly seized by Guinean authorities for transporting contraband.
6. Diplomatic Coordination: The Sierra Leone Foreign Ministry is actively working with authorities in Conakry to facilitate the investigation.
7. Commitment to Transparency: The Inspector General pledged to provide weekly updates on the investigation to ensure public trust and transparency.
8. Call for Verified Information: Citizens are urged to rely on credible sources for accurate updates on the case.
This development comes amid growing international scrutiny after Reuters’ report suggested that Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos,” was present in Sierra Leone. The police, however, maintain that there is no evidence to support this claim and continue to investigate all leads.
