By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
In a joint press briefing held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, the Office of National Security (ONS) and the Sierra Leone Police announced the imminent rollout of a nationwide Stop and Check operation aimed at enforcing compliance with national biometric ID card regulations, the campaign targets both Sierra Leonean citizens and foreign residents, urging them to secure their biometric National or Non-National Identification Cards before the final deadline of August 31, 2025.
Speaking at the engagement, National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker issued a stern warning that failure to obtain a valid ID card will lead to legal consequences. He emphasized that the enforcement initiative is critical to safeguarding national security.
We will not compromise on national security and identity verification,” Caulker stated. “Anyone without a valid ID card citizen or foreign resident will be dealt with according to the law.
Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, reinforced this message, adding that police services including clearance certificates and character references will no longer be available to individuals who cannot present a valid biometric ID.
This is not optional, IGP Sellu said. “If you do not have a biometric ID, you will not be served.”
To boost nationwide accessibility, Director General of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, confirmed that mobile registration units have been deployed across various chiefdoms and communities. He also announced a planned increase in ID card fees following the August 31 deadline.
We are encouraging everyone to take advantage of the current rates and register now, Massaquoi advised, the price will go up to reflect the updated cost of production.
The biometric ID system, launched by President Julius Maada Bio in January 2023, is a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to modernize identity management. It is intended to strengthen national security, facilitate service delivery, and ensure accurate identification of all residents.
As of now, possession of a valid biometric ID card is mandatory for access to a wide range of public and private services, including banking, education, healthcare, travel, and legal documentation.
Authorities are urging the public to treat the matter with urgency, noting that the upcoming Stop and Check operation will be conducted without exceptions.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 20th June, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
