The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Honourable Gregory O. W. Coleman, on Monday, 1st December 2025, formally received the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) delegation at the LNP Headquarters in Monrovia. The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in addressing transnational organised crime within the Mano River Union Basin.
In his welcome address, IGP Coleman underscored the critical importance of sustained collaboration among regional law enforcement agencies, particularly in the face of evolving security challenges. He emphasised that terrorism and organised criminal networks are increasingly seeking out weak points across West Africa, making coordinated action between neighbouring countries indispensable.
The Liberian Police Chief highlighted previous engagements held in Sierra Leone, during which he and Sierra Leone’s Inspector General of Police, Mr William Fayia Sellu, briefed His Excellency, Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, on the proposal to establish a Police Chiefs’ Committee within the Mano River Union Basin. He described the SLP’s visit as a clear demonstration of both countries’ resolve to implement the communiqué jointly signed by their Inspectors General to enhance border security and intelligence-sharing.
IGP Coleman extended warm fraternal greetings to the Chairman of the West Africa Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO), Sierra Leone’s IGP Sellu. He encouraged his senior management team to engage extensively with their counterparts from Sierra Leone, noting that Liberia is currently developing a four-year strategic policing plan and stands to benefit from Sierra Leone’s experience in transitioning from a “force” to a “service”. Symbolically, he remarked that the SLP had been given “the key to Monrovia”, reflecting Liberia’s readiness for proactive and purposeful cooperation.
Responding on behalf of the delegation, the team lead, AIG Dr John Martin Senesie, reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to the communiqué, stressing that their visit was a testament to the shared determination of both Police Chiefs to deepen joint border patrols and reinforce security coordination. He noted that the longstanding historical ties between Sierra Leone and Liberia make such cooperation not only strategic but natural and essential for effective policing.
Additional remarks were delivered by AIG Brima Kanneh and AIG Andrew Mustapha Kamara, who echoed the importance of shared learning, operational collaboration, and the exchange of professional experiences in strengthening security within the two sister nations.
The engagement was followed by a guided tour of key facilities at the Liberia National Police Headquarters, including the Operational Control Room, Broadcasting Unit, Formed Police Unit, Traffic Division, and Emergency Response Unit, among others.
Senior management officials from both police institutions exchanged valuable insights as part of their mutual commitment to fully operationalising the bilateral security agreement.
The day’s activities concluded with renewed assurances from both sides that cooperation between the SLP and LNP will continue to grow, reinforcing peace and security within the Mano River Union and the wider ECOWAS region.
