Freetown, 18th November 2025– The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Yankuba Askia Bio, has dismissed claims linking the Authority to a container allegedly found with cocaine in Nigeria, insisting that the shipment left Sierra Leone empty.
Speaking during an engagement with journalists and civil society representatives, Mr. Bio clarified that the container in question GCNU1332851 departed the Freetown port without cargo and was also discharged empty upon arrival at the Port of Lagos, Nigeria, en route to Cotonou.
“The container linked to Sierra Leone left the Freetown port empty and arrived in Lagos empty,” he stressed, citing confirmation from the shipping company Grimaldi, which handled the consignment. He urged the public to rely on the Authority’s official press release issued on November 14, 2025, for accurate information.
The meeting was convened to address misinformation surrounding the incident and to reaffirm the Authority’s position.
In a separate update, Mr. Bio highlighted recent achievements under his leadership. He disclosed that the Port of Freetown has been ranked among the fastest‑growing ports globally and listed as one of the safest ports in the world, boosting confidence among larger vessels to dock in Sierra Leone.
He further reported an increase in vessel traffic, the creation of 200 jobs for young people since he assumed office, and a significant rise in revenue generation.
