In a continued effort to intensify the national fight against drug abuse, particularly the growing menace of kush, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor Esq., on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, held a high-level meeting with the executive members of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL), on 14th October 2025, the meeting aimed to foster stronger collaboration in promoting peace, security, and public safety across the country.
The Minister and his team were warmly received by the IRCSL executive, who commended his proactive approach to engaging faith-based leaders in addressing national challenges. The Secretary-General of the IRCSL, Rev. Jesse Fornah, praised Minister Lengor for being the first Minister of Internal Affairs to formally engage with the Council, emphasizing that his outreach signifies a new era of cooperation between the Ministry and religious institutions in advancing peace and national security.
In his remarks, the Vice President of IRCSL, Alhaji Mutada Sesay, outlined the Council’s mandate, which includes fostering national cohesion, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and religious tolerance. He explained that the Council’s work extends beyond prayer, as its members possess expertise in various developmental and social fields.
Alhaji Sesay expressed gratitude to the Government for its continued support and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to achieve collective national goals. “We remain dedicated to supporting every government effort that promotes unity, development, and social stability in Sierra Leone,” he stated.
Minister Lengor thanked the IRCSL executive for their warm reception and for their long-standing contributions to peace and stability in Sierra Leone. He emphasized the urgent need for collective action against drug abuse, especially the spread of kush, which he described as a “silent pandemic destroying Sierra Leone’s future.”
“It is critical to involve faith-based voices to expand the reach of drug-related awareness and interventions,” Minister Lengor said. “Members of the Inter-Religious Council are key stakeholders in national development. Your proactive engagement, education, and advocacy can help reduce the devastating effects of drug abuse and save the lives of our young people.”
The Minister urged the Council to intensify public education campaigns through their congregations and community networks, noting that moral and spiritual guidance remains a powerful tool in steering youth away from addiction.
Speaking at the meeting, the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, described the engagement as “timely and strategic” in strengthening the national response to drug abuse. He recalled the long-standing partnership between the Police and the IRCSL in maintaining peace and stability and announced ongoing reforms to transform the Sierra Leone Police Force into a Police Service—one that prioritizes community engagement, public trust, and accountability.
IG Sellu emphasized that community-oriented policing, backed by religious institutions, would play a critical role in building safer and more resilient communities.
Representing the Executive Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Director of Drug Prevention, Education, and Training, Ibrahim Samuel Dugba, commended Minister Lengor’s leadership and reiterated NDLEA’s zero-tolerance policy toward narcotics.
He explained that the Agency’s Strategic Plan emphasizes community partnerships as a key pillar in combating drug and substance abuse. “Religious institutions are essential partners in this fight because of their moral authority and wide community reach,” Mr. Dugba said.
During the open discussion, members of the IRCSL highlighted the devastating social and security challenges posed by drug abuse. They called for, Reform in police recruitment, emphasizing the need for individuals of integrity and good character to be enlisted;
The establishment of a Fast-Track Court to impose heavier sentences on drug traffickers and dealers as a deterrent, Law enforcement to focus more on traffickers and suppliers, rather than criminalizing addicts who are themselves victims in need of rehabilitation.
In closing, participants agreed to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Sierra Leone Police, the NDLEA, and the IRCSL. The meeting concluded with a resolution to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and establish a joint committee to draft a strategic action plan that will formalize the partnership and coordinate future interventions.
The engagement marked a significant step toward building a unified, faith-driven front in the national fight against drug abuse, peacebuilding, and community safety in Sierra Leone.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 17th October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
