By Josephine Sesay

Sierra Leone is a country richly blessed by nature, history and resilient people. Our land holds diamonds, fertile soil, vast coastlines and untapped human potential. It should be a place where children walk freely, where families sleep in peace and where hope outweighs fear. Yet today, many Sierra Leoneans are asking a painful question: How did a land of promise begin to feel so unsafe?

Across communities, fear is growing. Parents worry when children leave home. Adults look over their shoulders when entering taxis or moving about at night. Stories of missing persons ,shared in homes, marketplaces and online ,have created a deep sense of insecurity. Whether every report is verified or not, the fear itself is real, and fear thrives where trust in safety collapses.

What is especially troubling is the silence and confusion that often follow these incidents. When citizens feel forced to rely on rumours and social media instead of clear official communication, it signals a deeper problem, a breakdown in confidence between the people and those tasked with protecting them. Insecurity does not begin with crime alone , it begins when people no longer believe they are safe or heard.

This situation did not arise overnight. Years of corruption, weak enforcement of the law, unemployment and drug abuse have eroded social order. When greed replaces responsibility and selfishness replaces community values, crime finds fertile ground. Criminals grow bold when consequences are rare and justice feels distant.

Transportation, meant to connect lives and livelihoods, has now become a source of fear for some citizens. No one should feel unsafe simply moving from one place to another. A nation where mobility becomes a risk is a nation in distress.

Government and security institutions must take responsibility. Reassurances are not enough. The people demand visible action: stronger policing, faster investigations, public updates and accountability. Silence fuels panic; transparency restores confidence.

But this is not only a government failure , it is a national one. Communities must speak out, protect one another and reject the normalization of violence. Religious leaders, traditional authorities and civil society must reclaim their moral voices. Parents must guide, and leaders must lead by example.

Sierra Leone is not a dead land. It is a wounded one. And wounds heal only when acknowledged and treated, not ignored.

If we fail to act now, fear will continue to rule our streets and homes. But if we confront this moment with honesty, courage and collective responsibility, Sierra Leone can once again become a place of peace, safety and shared hope , not just for us, but for generations yet unborn.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 4th February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)