By Foday Moriba Conteh
There are reports that a native of Kossoh Town and Grafton communities in the Western Rural District, Abdulai Bangura, has come under serious intimidation and harassment from members of the two communities after being caught practicing homosexuality with his male partner in his room.
Abdulai who hails from an Islamic background was not expected to practise this act especially when his father Sheik Alhaji Saidu Bangura is the Chief Imam of the Grafton community.
Both national and Islamic laws totally forbid individuals from practising such act. Community members were completely disappointed at Abdulai’s action which they noted goes contrary to our customs and traditions.
A senior family member Sheik Mohamed Bangura was accused of leading the angry mobs to take stringent action against Abdulai with a view to send the message to other people that such activities are not tolerated in the community.
The Village Headman Francis Sora told this medium that the intention of Abdulai’s family was to eliminate him because he has not only embarrassed and disgraced them but has also broken the customs and traditions of the land in addition to violating the national and religious laws governing the country.
Many people have described Abdulai as the black sheep of the family because of his gay related activities.
His father who commands enormous respect in the community as religious leader attempted to commit suicide when the news broke out of Abdulai’s activity.
A senior police officer attached to the Grafton Police Station Chief Superintendent Abdul Fofonah told this medium that on July 25th 2020, Abdulai Bangura was caught by his father, making love to one Abdul Goodman during morning prayers contrary to the country’s laws.
CSP Fofonah said his father decided to take the law into his hands by conniving with the community and physically and violently attack Abdulai at his residence even though he narrowly escaped through the window.
Family sources however told this medium that after this unfortunate incident Abdulai escaped to an unknown destination and since then his whereabouts remains unknown.
Other family members have expressed serious concern about his safety.
