Public commentator and civil society advocate, Moses Mambu has disclosed that the Sierra Leone Police have concluded investigations into the whereabouts of a man identified in public discussion as Umar Sheriff, stating that he is ‘no longer in the country.
The clarification comes amid ongoing speculation and viral social media narratives linking the suspect to a widely circulated photograph featuring President Julius Maada Bio.
Mambu disclosed that police conducted a comprehensive nationwide search, including checks at border posts, airports, and locations where Sheriff was rumored to have been seen.
He added that investigators reviewed internal travel logs and intelligence leads before arriving at the conclusion that Sheriff had already left Sierra Leone.
“The police followed every lead available to them. They searched across districts and monitored key movement routes. Their conclusion is clear: Umar Sheriff is not in Sierra Leone,” Mambu confirmed.
The name Umar Sheriff has been widely associated online with Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch national better known as “Bolle Jos”, who is wanted by European authorities for his alleged role in large-scale cocaine trafficking operations.
Leijdekkers is considered one of Europe’s most sought-after fugitives and has been linked to drug shipments routed through the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Dutch prosecutors also associate him with suspected money laundering networks stretching across Europe, South America, and parts of West Africa.
He was placed on Europol’s most wanted list, with law enforcement agencies urging the public worldwide to provide information about his whereabouts. It is believed that his use of multiple identities, including the alias Umar Sheriff, has contributed to confusion and speculation about his movements.
Mambu also addressed claims circulating on social media suggesting that the man standing behind President Bio in a viral photograph is either Sherif or Leijdekkers. He stated that the individual in the image has no confirmed link to either of the two names.
“The person in the viral photo is not Bolle Jos, and is not the individual being discussed as Umar Sheriff. I have no personal knowledge of who that man is, just like most of the public. That image alone cannot be used to draw conclusions,” he emphasized.
Mambu urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims online, warning that misinformation risks damaging reputations and triggering unnecessary public anxiety.
“With the police confirming that the suspect is not in the country, people should let the matter rest,” he concluded.
Authorities have not disclosed whether international counterparts have been alerted or whether ongoing efforts are underway to trace Sheriff’s current location.
