The Sierra Leone Police have identified the individual believed to be Europe’s most wanted criminal, Jos Leijdekkers, as Umar Sheriff. This revelation was made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, during a press conference held on Tuesday, February 4, at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown.
According to IGP Sellu, through the efforts of the police’s Open Source Investigation Unit, they were able to confirm the true identity of the man circulating on social media as Jos Leijdekkers. “The picture that has been circulating—we have now affixed a name to that face, and it is Umar Sheriff,” the IGP stated.
In response to questions about Sheriff’s entry into Sierra Leone, IGP Sellu confirmed that after reviewing official records from the past six months, they found no trace of his formal entry into the country. “We don’t have that name in our records,” he emphasized.
Cocaine smuggler Jos Leijdekkers attends a church service in Tihun, Sierra Leone, on January 1. Photo FacebookReuters
Despite multiple raids conducted by the Sierra Leone Police in attempts to locate Sheriff, the IGP acknowledged that no progress has been made in apprehending him. Authorities remain uncertain about Sheriff’s activities within Sierra Leone. “We are still on the lookout for Umar Sheriff and encourage the public to assist us in our investigations,” he urged.
Additionally, the IGP provided updates on the investigation into a recent cocaine bust in Guinea. He confirmed that a team of Sierra Leonean investigators, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is currently in Conakry gathering intelligence on the case. “Our team has been in Conakry since Saturday, conducting extensive inquiries. The goal is to determine who authorized the mission, who the passengers were, and who came into contact with the vehicle before it was intercepted,” Sellu explained.
In light of these efforts, the IGP appealed for international support to strengthen Sierra Leone’s law enforcement capabilities in combating transnational organized crime. “We need capacity-building support to enhance our ability to tackle cross-border criminal activities, not just within Sierra Leone, but across the sub-region,” he said.
International media outlets, including Reuters, have reported that Leijdekkers, known by the alias “Bolle Jos,” has been living in Sierra Leone for at least six months, allegedly under high-level protection. Verified photos and videos show him attending a church service in Tihun, Sierra Leone, on January 1, 2025, where he was seated just two rows behind President Julius Maada Bio.
The Sierra Leone Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and provide any relevant information that could help locate Umar Sheriff. They have also assured that further updates will be shared as the investigation continues.