The Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor, has held a high-level engagement with the Executive of the Bike Riders Union (BRU) to address growing concerns over lawlessness, public safety and the conduct of commercial motorcycle riders across Sierra Leone.
The meeting, held on Friday, 10 July 2026, brought together senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the leadership of the BRU to discuss a range of issues, including mob justice following road accidents, violent clashes involving bike riders, illegal parking at major junctions and other activities affecting public order and road safety.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Morie Lengor warned that commercial bike riders must stop taking the law into their own hands, stressing that any individual found engaging in unlawful acts would face the full force of the law. He cited the recent violent confrontation between bike riders and the police in Kailahun as an example of the growing trend of indiscipline that requires urgent attention.
He said Government remains committed to protecting the rights of all citizens but emphasized that justice must always be pursued through lawful institutions rather than acts of violence or retaliation. The Minister urged bike riders to conduct their operations responsibly and comply with traffic regulations to help promote national security and public safety.
A key concern raised during the discussions was the recurring practice of some riders setting vehicles on fire whenever a commercial bike rider is involved in a fatal or serious road accident. The Minister strongly condemned the destruction of property, describing the practice as criminal and unacceptable under any circumstances.
He further criticized the union’s former slogan, “Touch One, You Touch All,” stating that it had often been interpreted as encouraging collective retaliation and unlawful conduct. He urged the union’s leadership to strengthen internal discipline and ensure members understand that grievances should be addressed through the appropriate legal channels.
The Minister also called on the BRU Executive to enforce stricter disciplinary measures against members who violate the law, noting that responsible leadership requires decisive action to protect the reputation of the union and the safety of the public.
Supporting the Minister’s position, Deputy Inspector General of Police Andrew M. Kamara and Director of Traffic Management, Assistant Inspector General Abdul Moijueh, acknowledged the cooperation of the BRU leadership but expressed concern over increasing incidents of lawlessness involving commercial bike riders.
The senior police officers highlighted the recent unrest in Kailahun as a serious example of the dangers posed when riders resort to mob action instead of allowing law enforcement agencies to investigate incidents. They urged the union to intensify public education campaigns to discourage vigilante justice and encourage respect for the rule of law.
Responding on behalf of the union, the BRU Executive, including its Vice President and Spokesperson, reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Sierra Leone Police and other security agencies to improve compliance with traffic regulations and promote responsible behaviour among commercial motorcycle riders.
The union, however, appealed to the Government through the Ministry of Internal Affairs to address challenges affecting its leadership in carrying out its responsibilities. The executives also pledged to continue sensitizing members on lawful conduct and the importance of reporting grievances through the appropriate authorities.
During the meeting, the BRU officially announced that it had changed its slogan from “Touch One, You Touch All” to “Bike Riders Responsibility and Discipline,” describing the change as a reflection of the union’s commitment to professionalism, accountability and peaceful coexistence.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a joint committee to oversee the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Sierra Leone Police and the Bike Riders Union through fortnightly review meetings. Both parties also agreed to hold a joint press conference to publicly announce the union’s new slogan and reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening law and order, improving road safety and promoting responsible commercial motorcycle operations across Sierra Leone.
