By Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Pujehun District- 2nd June 2026
The National Security Coordinator at the Office of National Security (ONS), Abdulai Caulker, has assured residents that Pujehun District remains peaceful and free from any imminent security threats, attributing the district’s stability to effective collaboration between security institutions and local communities.
Speaking during the National Civic Day Series in Pujehun, Caulker provided an overview of Sierra Leone’s national security architecture and the measures being implemented to maintain peace and stability across the country.
He explained that the National Security Council, chaired by President Julius Maada Bio, serves as the country’s highest security decision-making body and functions as the nation’s “war cabinet.” According to him, the Council is responsible for providing strategic direction on national security matters, while the National Security Coordinator serves as its secretary and oversees coordination of the country’s entire security architecture.
Caulker noted that the National Security Council Coordinating Group, the second-highest security body in the country, brings together heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to assess and respond to emerging security concerns nationwide.
He also highlighted the role of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), which was established to combat cross-border and transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and other organized criminal activities.
According to him, ONS has increasingly adopted a people-centered approach by decentralizing security governance through Provincial Security Committees (PROSECs), District Security Committees (DISECs), and Chiefdom Security Committees.
“The involvement of citizens is critical to maintaining national security,” he said, urging residents, particularly those living in border communities, to report suspicious movements and activities to the relevant authorities.
The National Security Coordinator identified cattle rearing-related tensions in Falaba District as one of the emerging security concerns facing the country. He disclosed that ONS is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a comprehensive cattle rearing policy aimed at addressing disputes and preventing conflicts associated with livestock management.
He further stated that the country’s security architecture continues to function effectively and efficiently, noting that greater community participation has significantly strengthened the ability of security institutions to respond to threats and maintain peace.
Caulker called on journalists, bloggers, and other media practitioners to exercise professionalism and responsibility in the dissemination of information.
He stressed the importance of verifying facts before publication, warning that the spread of misinformation and unverified reports could undermine public confidence and contribute to insecurity.
The National Security Coordinator also highlighted the role played by the ONS and other security agencies in resolving longstanding disputes, including tensions involving the Socfin agricultural concession in Sahr Malen and boundary disputes between chiefdoms within Pujehun District.
He said these interventions have contributed significantly to the improved security environment currently being enjoyed in the district.
Looking ahead, Caulker announced that ONS and other security stakeholders will soon engage residents on the forthcoming Paramount Chief elections in Pujehun. The engagement, he explained, is intended to promote peaceful participation and prevent electoral violence.
“Our goal is to ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and calm atmosphere where every eligible voter can exercise their democratic right without fear,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming that, based on current assessments, Pujehun District remains one of the country’s most peaceful districts, with no imminent security threats on the horizon.
