Outamba-Kilimi National Park: 17 arrested for illegal mining

Seventeen individuals, including five women and one minor, have been arrested for alleged illegal mining and unauthorized entry into the Outamba-Kilimi National Park (OKNP) in Sierra Leone.

The arrests occurred on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during a targeted law enforcement patrol conducted by the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) and the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF). The operation was supported by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).

The suspects are currently in custody, with the women assisting investigations at the Regional Police Headquarters in Makeni. Authorities stated that the group will face court charges once police inquiries are finalized. The NPAA emphasized that these intensified enforcement operations are part of a broader commitment to protect the country’s natural resources and preserve the ecological integrity of its national parks.