By SKS
A total of 145 Sierra Leoneans deported from Mauritania have returned home, highlighting ongoing challenges of irregular migration and the resilience of those seeking better opportunities.
Superintendent Mohamed Kugba Alieu, head of the Trans-National Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), confirmed the deportation, revealing that these individuals had been caught in a web of complex migratory challenges.
Many had fled Sierra Leone years ago, chasing the dream of stability, work, and a better future. But circumstances beyond their control, and the perilous journey across borders, had led them into difficult situations in Mauritania.
Superintendent Allieu made this revelation during the regular police press briefing at the Police Officers Mess, Kingtom in Freetown, on Wednesday 8th October 2025.
For some, Mauritania had become a temporary refuge. For others, it was a place of despair, where dreams were deferred and hopes dwindled. The deportation was a sombre reminder of the fragile line between seeking opportunity and falling into the shadows of illegal migration.
“We have verified their identities with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) and we have reunited them with their respective families. They are not criminals but citizens who went to seek greener pastures which is why we counselled them and reunited them with their families,” he explained.
Upon arrival in Sierra Leone, the atmosphere was bittersweet. Reunions with families, some tearful, others filled with cautious hope, became moments of profound relief. Yet, beneath the surface, many carried scars of their ordeals, emotional, physical, and economic.
Superintendent Alieu spoke of efforts to strengthen border controls to prevent future tragedies.
This deportation was more than a logistical operation; it was a stark reminder of the human cost embedded within the complex dynamics of migration. It called for compassion, understanding, and concerted efforts to ensure that no one’s journey ends in despair, and that every person’s story is heard and valued.
