Alfred Nelson-Williams

Nelson-Williams entered into the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces in 1975 as an enlisted serviceman, then became commissioned as a regular combatant officer after completing an officer cadet training program in the Egyptian Military Academy in April 1978. Between 1978 and 1980 he continued to rise in the ranks, serving as a platoon commander and then as a mechanical and transport officer (MTO) in the second battalion, Republic of Sierra Leone Regiment (2RSLAR). In 1983, he was tasked to head the anti-smuggling squad while serving in the First Battalion, Republic of Sierra Leone Regiment (1RSLAR). After distinguishing himself in this service by arresting the organizers of an $11.5 M diamond racket in Kono despite being offered a bribe of $100 K and a brand new Mercedes-Benz, Nelson-Williams moved up to the position of adjutant of the 1RSLAR in 1984, preparing him for further roles in military administration. In 1985 he completed a junior division command and staff course in Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and in 1986, he was appointed to head an anti-corruption squad. He returned to the adjutant post after this appointment, holding it from 1987 to 1990.[4]

After serving this stint as adjutant, in 1991 Nelson-Williams was chosen to serve among the troops Sierra Leone contributed to the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) peace enforcement operations deployed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the First Liberian Civil War. Nelson-Williams was initially appointed deputy chief military intelligence officer at ECOWAS headquarters, but was recalled to Sierra Leone. After this recall, he rejoined the ECOMOG force in several positions, distinguishing himself in particular at the Bo waterside by being the first officer to capture the Mano River Union Bridge, a major objective. After a brief return to Sierra Leone to serve as military assistant to the National Security Adviser in 1992, he returned to Liberia, where he was appointed contingent commander and commanding officer of the Sierra Leone contingent.[4] For his distinguished and meritorious tour, he has been awarded a medal for his participation in ECOMOG (1992), a Gallantry Medal (1993) and a Long Service and Efficiency Medal (1994).

In the later part of 1994, he served as administration and logistics staff officer grade one. In 1995 he worked as the principal staff officer to the CDS before enrolling in the Senior Division Staff and Command course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. He then earned a public administration diploma from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration at Legon before returning to serve as the commanding officer for the 1RSLAR until 1997. In 1998, he was posted to the Armed Forces Training Center in Benguema and appointed commandant. In 2000, he served as Director of Land Operations (DLOP) in the Sierra Leone Civil War.

Nelson-Williams then proceeded to enroll at the Nigerian National War College. He was honoured as a Fellow of the War College upon graduation, and was later recognised as a Distinguished Star Alumnus in 2009.[5] He was invited to the University of Ibadan in Nigeria to read for a Master of Science degree in strategic and defence studies which he completed with a thesis on "the role of the military in sustaining peace and democracy in post-war Sierra Leone."

Upon his return to Sierra Leone in 2002, he was appointed assistant Chief of Defense Staff (ACDS) Ops & Plans and promoted to the substantive rank of Brigadier General. In 2003, he was appointed deputy Chief of Defence Staff (DCDS) in addition to his appointment as ACDS Ops & Plans. In 2005, he relinquished his appointment of ACDS Ops & Plans and fully concentrated on his new responsibility as the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff and military spokesman. He was presented with the honour of "Grand Officer of the Order of Rokel" in 2007, and appointed to the position of Chief of the Defence Staff on Friday, 12 September 2008, by President Ernest Bai Koroma, succeeding Major General Edward Sam M'boma.[4] In August 2010, he was placed on terminal leave by president Ernest Bai Koroma and succeeded as CDS by Robert Yira Koroma.[2]

On 1 July 2016, Nelson-Williams was scheduled to attend the military graduation ceremony of two Sierra Leonean army officers.[1][6] His vehicle was stopped at an unofficial checkpoint on the Abuja Korona Highway in Kaduna, Nigeria.[1][6][7] Nelson-Williams was kidnapped and ransomed for 44 million Naira (about $150,000).[7]

He escaped without paying the ransom by either the Sierra Leone or Nigerian government on 5 July 2016.[7]