By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D.S.
Freetown The National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the Office of National Security (ONS) have moved from warning to the brink of enforcement in what they describe as a decisive effort to collect outstanding licence-related revenues from private security companies (PSCs) operating in Sierra Leone.
In a public notice dated March 12, 2026, the two agencies gave PSCs a final opportunity to settle arrears and warned that enforcement measures will be implemented against operators who fail to clear their liabilities. The notice, issued by the NRA’s Public Affairs and Tax Education Unit from its Freetown headquarters, outlined a trio of sanctions that could be taken against non-compliant firms: sealing of business premises, garnishment of bank accounts and restrictions on international travel.
Officials cited Section 31(1) of the National Security and Central Intelligence Act, 2023, which prohibits any individual, group of individuals, or corporate entity from operating a private security service in Sierra Leone without a licence issued by the ONS. They also invoked powers under the National Revenue Authority Act, 2022, which authorises the NRA to recover due revenues and protect the integrity of the national revenue collection system.
The notice warns that operators who fail to settle outstanding licence fees risk having their premises sealed, effectively suspending business operations until debts are cleared. The NRA signalled it would move to garnish bank accounts of recalcitrant operators and indicated that travel restrictions — including international travel bans — could be imposed on individuals associated with non-compliant companies.
The combined message from the NRA and ONS was firm: PSCs should take immediate steps to regularise their licence payments and ensure full compliance with the relevant laws. The agencies expressed appreciation to operators who have already acted promptly and reiterated that enforcement actions will proceed where compliance is not achieved.
Industry observers say the final warning will test the sector’s readiness to comply with licensing and tax rules and could lead to significant operational disruptions for persistent defaulters.
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