By Saidu Bangura
The Sierra Leone Police has reportedly issued a wanted notice for Tounkara Alex Conteh, a young Sierra Leonean, over allegations relating to his social media activities, including alleged criticism of the government of President Julius Maada Bio.
The wanted notice, issued on July 1, 2026, states that Conteh is wanted in connection with allegations of incitement, riotous conduct and disorderly behaviorists.
According to information gathered by this medium from family members and other sources, police officers had been searching for Conteh following a series of posts he allegedly made on Facebook before the wanted notice was issued.
Mariama Jalloh, a neighbour of Conteh’s father, Pa Sallu A. Conteh, told this reporter that Pa Sallu was previously invited by the police and questioned in an attempt to obtain information about his son’s whereabouts.
Jalloh said she was among community elders who stood as sureties to secure the release of Pa Sallu after he was questioned by the police.
Meanwhile, Alusine Conteh, an uncle of Tounkara Alex Conteh, alleged that several members of the family had been subjected to harassment and intimidation in connection with the ongoing search for his nephew.
“We are currently no longer living in peace just because we are related to Tounkara Alex Conteh. The police are harassing us on a daily basis to provide information about Tounkara’s whereabouts, which I do not even know,” he alleged.
However, at the time of publication, repeated efforts to obtain comments from the Sierra Leone Police regarding Alusine Conteh’s allegations of harassment were unsuccessful.
The reported case has raised concerns among some citizens and civil society observers, particularly regarding freedom of expression and the handling of allegations arising from social media activities.
They have called on the authorities to ensure that due process is followed in addressing any alleged offences relating to online speech, while respecting the rights of individuals during law enforcement operations.
The allegations contained in this report could not be independently verified at the time of publication.
