Freetown, 8th February 2026- Kalisu Kallon, a former airport expediter from Sierra Leone, has been declared a wanted man by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) following the August 10th protests.
Background and the August 10 Protests- On August 10th, 2022, a large-scale protest broke out in Freetown’s eastern suburbs, including the Wellington community. While the Sierra Leone government charaterised the events as a violent “insurrection” aimed at “overthrowing” the administration of President Julius Maada Bio, protesters and human rights groups maintained the demonstrations were a response to “socio-economic hardship and political repression.”
According to family reports, Kalisu participated in these protests alongside his elder brother, Ishmael Kallon, an influential member of the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Youth League.
Allegations of State Action- The narrative provided by Kallon’s family and legal supporters includes the following points of contention:
Video Evidence: Authorities reportedly identified Kalisu and Ismael Kallon in video footage during the destruction of the Wellington Police Post and Calaba Town Police Station.
The Raid: On August 12, 2022, security agents allegedly raided the family home. Reports claim Ismael Kallon was killed during this encounter.
Detention and Disappearance: Kalisu Kallon was reportedly arrested and held at the “Camp Benghazi” detention centre, a facility that has faced international scrutiny for its treatment of detainees. Family members state they lost contact with him during this period.
Official Status- In the aftermath of the protests, the Sierra Leone Police declared Kalisu Kallon a “wanted man,” offering a bounty of Le 50,000 for information leading to his arrest. The state maintained that Kallon is sought in connection with the violent destruction of property and the release of inmates during the August 10 riots.
