The Ministry of Information and Civic Education in Sierra Leone released a statement on January 26, 2025, addressing media reports that linked Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious convicted drug felon, to the country.
These reports suggested that Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most wanted individuals, had visited Sierra Leone and appeared in photographs at events attended by President Julius Maada Bio and his family during the festive season.
According to Reuters, Jos Leijdekkers was identified using advanced facial recognition tools. These tools matched images of him attending a New Year’s Day mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Tihun, the President’s hometown. The images showed him sitting near President Bio123.The government clarified that President Bio attended numerous public and family events during the festive period and posed for photographs with various attendees. It emphasized that the President did not know Jos Leijdekkers’ identity or the allegations mentioned in the media45. The government also confirmed that no foreign country or institution has formally communicated with Sierra Leone regarding Jos Leijdekkers
