Gay On The Run

September 25, 2018

By Abdul Rahman Kamara

A gay, Abdullai Barie is reportedly missing for months now, a family source said.

Barie who stayed at 13 Balansama Street, Kabala town in the northern Sierra Leone has been on the run fearing for his life, after he is reported to have been violently attacked by unknown persons.

Reports say he sustained some minor bruises during the attack that led to his eventual disappearance.

The attack, the report continued, came after Abdullai was caught pant down with his gay partner in his home which raised many questions and suspicion and has been seen as a taboo by the community people who have always perceived gay acts or relationship as evil and that it goes against customs and traditions in many parts of the country especially the rural areas where many human rights abuses are taking place glaringly.

After this incident, Barie is reported to have been chased by some community people who also rained insults on him and threatened his life.

Family sources say the incident occurred on 18th July 2018 when he was caught with his gay partner, Patrick Williams after they had come from a night club and had relaxed in the room having a good time.

Barie’s stepfather was the one who first noticed the couple in the room making love.

The source said.

“The door was not closed, he saw them in motion, they were shocked, they escaped through the window after his uncle raised the alarm’’ an eye witness said.

“It was Williams who jumped through the window and ran immediately but Abdullai was unfortunately rushed at by the neighbours who came to the scene.

They crowd started manhandling him, beat him up; and he shouted for help but no one listened before he narrowly escaped, of course he sustained some injuries” a relative of Abdullai revealed.

The report said, Abdullai ended in taking refuge in the hands of the paramount chief who later asked his chiefdom police officers to take him to the hospital where he was given a first aid treatment .

Abdullai later escaped in the hospital where he was admitted briefly, the report said; noting that he feared that he will be fined by the traditional authorities who had warned against such gay practices.

Kidnapper Declared Wanted

July 25, 2018

By Amara Samura

Report reaching this medium last night indicates that one Ransford Mike of No: 7 Bombay Lane in the East End part of Freetown has been declared wanted by both Police and secret society members for allegedly kidnapping one Princess Bangura in Freetown.

According to sources close to the lady’s family, the father, Mr. Alie Bangura don’t want the relationship between his daughter Princess and Ransford because they do not come from the same religion. He claimed that they are Muslims while the husband is a Christian.

The father insisted that his daughter should only marry to her cousin one Albert Bangura who was reported to have raped and impregnated her but Princess stood her grounds that she does not want that relationship because of the manner in which the man treated her.

Sources say Princess threatened to take legal action against her cousin for raping her but her father refused on the grounds that it will seriously affect the family and bring shame and stigma to them in the community.

The source said when Ransford proposed to the family that he wanted to marry Princess, the father refused on the grounds that they are not from the same religion. Because of this ugly development, Princess left his father’s house and ran away to Ransford.

When the father realized that his daughter has escaped to her fiancée, Ransford, he threatened to take drastic action against the man for allegedly kidnapping his daughter. The father is known to be a senior member of the most fearful secret society in that community. Independent sources say, the father in law has been accused of threatening to send members of his society to drastically deal with Ransford if he fails to release his daughter.

While the threat was ongoing both Ransford and Princess tied the knot to be husband and wife at a secret traditional wedding at the residence of the father’s elder brother on Sunday 12 July 2018.

This development according to family sources did not go down well with the father who immediately reported the matter to the East End Police Station.

On Saturday 20 July 2018, the Police sent an invitation letter to Ransford demanding him to report to the station for questioning regarding the kidnapping of his fiancée.

This development prompted both couples to escape to an unknown destination for fear of their lives following series of threats.

Fuard Ibrahim Bangura Gay Visitor Escapes Death From Community Members

June 1, 2018

By Abdulrahman Kamara

Reports reaching this press from the slum area of Freetown revealed that a young man, Fuard Ibrahim Bangura of #1 Malamah Thomas Street in the outskirts of central Freetown, narrowly escaped death in the hands of angry youths and members of the community, after being caught red-handed having sex with his fellow man, after a visit to his friend house one Hassan Kamara living at 13 Mill Street in Eastern Freetown, a taboo and an illegal act in the country.

According to sources, on 29th May 2018, both young men have been seen regularly together, and were believed to be football fans of the same football club in Freetown. Fuard have been a regular visitor to Hassan house, both were not suspected to be gay, as the practice is illegal in the country and a taboo by both religious faiths in the country. Thus their close relationship brought no suspicion until they were caught in the act on 29th May 2018.

According to eye witness report, both young men were busy having sex in an unlocked room, and when the sister of Hassan (Zainab) came to the room to collect her phone that was on charge, she was shocked at what she saw and screamed, which brought family members and neighbours rushing into the house. To their surprise, both men were caught with pants down, naked. The angry youths who had come to enquire the reason for her cry, then pounced upon both youths, beating them mercilessly.

His partner, Fuard Ibrahim Bangura, Hassan was taken out of the house beaten unconsciously with stones and sticks by the community youths as they said they will set example on their children and ready to set fire on Fuard who is the visitor, However, news filtered in to those who were busy teaching Hassan a lesson that his partner had died from the heavy beating he had received from the growing crowd outside the house.
As they too went to verify the news, Fuard quietly sneaked out of the house through the window, chased by some of the angry youths. It was further disclosed that the youths pursued him till he disappeared from their sight under a dilapidated bridge and has since not been seen.

Members of the community are said to have visited the Malamah Thomas Street residence of Fuard Ibrahim Bangura on several occasions that day and through the night, in search of him, but were unable to find him, and since then they have mounted a hunt for him, as the said act in which they were caught is described by both religious faiths as satanic and should not be encouraged in the country, and the government has had little interest in defending or protecting such suspects, as it is described as illegal, and any encouragement of the perpetrator may lead to its spread and desecration of the sacred views of the citizenry.

As we go to press, the whereabouts of Fuard Ibrahim is still unknown and hunt for him is still on-going. It could be recalled that the practice of same sex is a forbidden act in the eyes of the public, and illegal in the country’s laws. Gay is also described as satanic by both religious faiths in Sierra Leone.

Augustine Rio Komeh Declared Wanted For Practising Gay

May 14, 2018

111 — Augustine Rio Komeh (alias 30 Pounds) wanted

By Lansana Kuyateh

Report reaching this medium last night indicates that one driver Augustine Rio Komeh (alias 30 Pounds) has been declared wanted by the Calaba Town Police Station for his alleged involvement in gay bisexual and lesbian activities contrary to the laws of this country.

Investigation revealed that on the 28th April 2018, Augustine was allegedly caught by his care taker Abu Bakar Koroma making love with his male partner Alpha Jalloh at night against our laws.

Family sources say the problem started after Augustine returned home from prison a different man.

Augustine who was known in the community as a religious individual later became a gay activist against the wish of his people and the laws governing the country.

Family sources say Augustine started practising gay related activities contrary to traditional, religious and national laws governing the country. The law forbids the practice of gay activities in the country and that any one charged to court and found guilty of gay related activities will face life imprisonment with hard labour.

Police sources say, they received an intelligence from Augustine’s care taker that he was involved in gay activities. He said the Care Taker noticed that Augustine is receiving his male partners three times a week in the house which did not go down with him (Care Taker).

Sources say the care taker who was observing the frequent visit of Augustine’s male partners to his residence reported the matter to the relevant authorities including community leaders who immediately took the necessary action to arrest and prosecute him.

Augustine was seriously manhandled by angry youths in the community on the night of the alleged incident on April 28th 2018 for violating the laws of the land. He succeeded to escape from the people after a serious clash between the youths in the two communities.

Augustine according to report jumped over the fence where he was reported to have damaged his body.

Family sources say the man later escaped to neighbouring Guinea to seek refuge after being threatened legal action and since then his whereabout remains unknown.

Gay Activist Ishmael Janneh Declared Wanted

April 3, 2018

By Joseph Lahai

Report reaching this medium indicates that a former senior truck driver of African Minerals Mining Company operating in Tonkoliki district, north of Sierra Leone Ishmael Janneh has been declared wanted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police for his alleged involvement in gay-related activities.

Sources at the CID state that Janneh and few others including a senior official of African Minerals Mining Company Mr Brown established an organization that comprises men practising gay and bisexual contrary to the laws of the country.

In Sierra Leone, anyone arrested, charged to court for gay-related activities and found guilty will face life imprisonment with hard labour.

Janneh who was described as a gay activist has been the ring leader, campaigning vigorously for the legalization of gay and bisexual activities in Sierra Leone.

As the leader of the gay activists, Organization Janneh engaged the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Allieu Pat Sowe to use his influence to persuade his colleague cabinet Ministers for the legalization of gay.

The investigating officer at the CID, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Musa Dauda told this medium that Janneh and his colleagues held a secret meeting to work out the modalities to officially invite the Minister for him to see their strength and see the need to persuade his colleagues to amend the law in their favour so that they can practice gay without any hindrance.

“It was during the meeting that the police were informed and they had to rush to the scene. We succeeded in arresting five activists excluding Janneh and his boss Mr Brown who is an American citizen,” ASP Dauda said.

He said after a fruitless endeavour to invite them to the police station failed, the CID leadership decided to issue a warrant of arrest for the ring leaders of the organization including Ishmael Janneh, Mr Brown and Mohamed Sawaneh. Since the announcement of the warrant, the whereabouts of Janneh remains unknown.

It could be recalled that Janneh had a serious issue with members of the Poro society members in Kenema town, east of Sierra Leone early this year where he was forcefully arrested and initiated against his wish. Janneh according to the report explained everything to the public which did not go down well with the leaders of this secret society.

They however threatened to kill him if seen for exposing the tradition and culture of the Poro society. Since his life is under serious threat, Janneh decided to seek refuge to an unknown destination for fear of his life.

A senior family member, Alhaji Mohamed Janneh has however expressed serious concern about his safety. Both members of the Poro society in Kenema and the police have declared Ishmael Janneh and others wanted.

Police Declare Alhassan Bangura Wanted in Sierra Leone

March 28, 2018

Alhassan Bangura, on the run for practicing homosexual

By Alfred Lahai

Report reaching this medium indicates that one Alhassan Bangura of Makolo Village in Port Loko district, Northwest region of Sierra Leone has been declared wanted by the police and religious and traditional leaders on March 20th 2018 for his alleged involvement in homosexual and gay related activities.

According to the Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, (CID) of Masiaka Police Division, ASP Brima Kanneh, Alhassan was caught romancing and kidding his make friend Sorie on Friday February 23rd 2018 which did not go down well with the people.

He said the country’s laws state that any one arrested, charged to court and found wanting for homosexual and gay related activities will be sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour.

He said Alhassan’s father Pa Mohamed Bangura caught his son with his male friend Sorie romancing and kissing inside his house and decided to raised an alarm. The irate youths in the Village decided to go after Alhassan and Sorie to violating the laws of the land.

He said the youths reported Alhassan to the police and they invited him for questioning but refused to respond to police call. This he said promoted them to declare him wanted.

Speaking to this medium, a senior family member Pa Foray Bangura accused Alhassan of practicing homosexual starting at the age of thirteen contrary to the laws governing the country. He said both Alhassan and Sorie have been dating themselves against the wishes of their parents, stressing that despite several attempts to stop them from doing that, they continued to do it. He said in a bid to stop Alhassan from practicing homosexual, his father Pa Mohamed Bangura decided to marry one Adama Turay for his son. He nited that his father’s action did not solve the problem as Alhassan had no time with the lady.

The Chief Imam of the Central Mosque in the Village, Alhaji Conteh caught who is also angry with Alhassan said he wanted to bring shame to the family.

Imam Conteh said both Alhassan and Sorie escaped to an unknown destination for fear of their lives after the irate youths began hunting them.

“This latest development puts the lives of Alhassan at risk as the religious leaders and the police have declared a man hunt for both of them. Alhassan decided to escape to an unknown destination for fear of his life and since them his whereabout remains unknown. Family members have expressed serious concern about his safety and well being,” Pa Foray said.

David Lansana Narrowly Escapes Death After Refusing Initiation Into Secret Society…

February 2, 2018

By Abdulrahman Kamara

According to reports from Bumpeh Chiefdom in the Bo District, one David Lansana, the son of Henry Lansana. And heir to the throne of the secret Society in the chiefdom narrowly escaped death from his captors, as he refused to be initiated into the society due to his faith, as a Christian.

According to family sources, throne in the secret society is hereditary and David is to ascend the throne after his father’s death. It was also disclosed that his grandfather, before his death, had declared that after the death of David’s father, his son should replace him.

After the death of his father, senior members of the secret society approached David and tried to convince him to take his father’s position in the society as an inheritance, but he refused. One fateful day, it was disclosed that they physically came to take him away, during which a serious struggle ensued, resulting in heavy beating by the crowd of society young and energetic men. David is said to have fallen unconscious and was taken to the society bush (Shrine) for initiation, when he recovers.

Our sources further explained that whilst in the shrine, an uncle of David (name withheld for security reasons), and also a member of the society escaped with David who was then unable to walk, and took him to a nearby village where he was being treated. After recovery, David decided to venture out of the streets in the village and was attacked by two young men, who were members of the secret society from his village and were in the area on other venture. These youths then told him that they will take him to their shrine and will call for help if it reaches that stage. During the fracas that ensued, David hit one of the youths with a strong stick, and he collapsed, apparently unconscious, and the other fled for help.

According to our investigations, it was further disclosed that t5he same Uncle called David shortly after that incident enquiring about his whereabouts, and advised him to leave the village and that his life is in danger. It was also disclosed that David was intimated by close friend of the traditional healer with whom he was staying and who helped him recover his walk, that the Police are looking for him, as there are indications that the youth he had hit with the stick was in a state of coma and he was now wanted by the police. Amidst this situation, David is said to have disappeared and his whereabouts are still unknown.

As we go to press, all efforts to reach the young man has proved futile, as no one has been able to tell us where he is, except that he is wanted by the police and that the secret society has sworn to capture him and teach him a lesson of his life. It is common knowledge that since those in authority are members of one secret society or the other little is being done to deal with such threats and a refusal to adhere to the dictates of the society is death.

Nathaniel Abubakarr Savage: Missing & Wanted By the Poro Society

November 17, 2017

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In the field of journalism sometimes one thing leads to another thing or issue and that was exactly what transpired when this news medium honoured an invitation to cover the commissioning of a school that was constructed by a philanthropist in one of the deprived communities in the rural setting of Sierra Leone.

One of our ace reporters, who was designated to cover the event, also decided, in addition, to file in a story which we, the Editorial Team, deemed is newsworthy within the category of human interest stories.

The issue bothers around an attempted violation of the Freedom of Association of one Nathaniel Abubakarr Savage, who, three days ago, to be precise in June of 2017 was forced by his father, Sanusi Savage, to become a member of a highly secret society for young boys and men, the dreaded Poro Secret Society as a rite of passage into adulthood.

Sanusi Savage, father of Nathaniel Abubakarr Savage is a senior member of the society, occupying the position of “Gbanabom”, which is a powerful position or rank in the society. Because the father was advancing in age it was traditionally recommended, as the custom demands, for Nathaniel to be groomed as a “Gbanabom” in order to smoothly succeed his father. However, when the son learnt about the plan and what he knows about the things that his father does during initiation ceremonies he made up his mind not to associate himself with the secret society.

To translate the laid down plan into reality the father decided to bring the Poro Society members to his house in order to take Nathaniel by force against his will but luckily Nathaniel saw them coming from afar. He quickly decided to hide and ran away from the house. However, he returned in the evening hours and was chastised by the old man for leaving the house without permission. He was severely beaten with a belt by the father, especially for not going according to his wish, not to become a member of the society.

After a week, his father, Sanusi Savage decided to bring the society members again to take Nathaniel but this time around he was sleeping inside so he didn’t see them coming but only heard the unique sound that is associated with the Poro Society.

Nathaniel immediately got out of the bed and jumped through the window to seek refuge at the house of his uncle, Samuel Koroma, at Mountain Town, Regent Village.

While residing at his uncle’s house, Nathaniel decided to start going to church though he was a Muslim who hails from strong Muslim family background.

When the father and other members of the Poro Society learnt that Nathaniel was residing at his uncle’s place and he has now become a Christian they stormed the uncle’s house with machetes and bottles but were unable to enter the house because it had a strong iron gate. They started to furiously hit the gate but the uncle refused opening the gate and they disappointedly left.

After one week the society members came back to the house and did the same thing but were still unsuccessful in getting Nathaniel and they despondently left again.

Sadly, on the 14th August 2017, Nathaniel’s uncle, Samuel Koroma, died in a tragic mudslide incident that occurred at night up at Regent Village. It was feared that Nathaniel was among the victims of the tragic landslide that died in the affected house.

However, according to a reliable source his uncle took him to safety out of the house before the unfortunate incident happened out of fear that the Society members will successfully apply another strategy to lay hands on the poor boy.

Up to this moment of going to Press the whereabouts of Nathaniel Abubakarr Savage is not known. But what is certain is that the members of the Poro Society are desperately searching for him vowing that if he is seen they will kill him and sacrifice him to the Poro gods.

For now Nathaniel has been declared wanted in the country by the Police and the Poro Society members. The Police want to ascertain whether he was among the victims of the tragic incident and the Poro Society members for what they consider as treachery especially for failing to adhere to the dictates of tradition.

From what this medium learnt there are other hapless young boys and girls in the country who are forced to be associated with certain traditional practices, including forceful membership into secret societies, some very harmful, against their wishes all in the name of preserving traditions or customs.

However, in reality, their basic fundamental human rights are being violated with impunity on a daily basis which is why it is important for Rights-Based Organizations in the country to step advocacy and raise up their voices loud against such harmful traditional practices otherwise young people will continue to suffer in silence having nowhere to seek redress.

Mohamed K. Kamara declared wanted by Police for alleged homosexual activity

August 2, 2017

Mohamed K. Kamara.jpg — The missing gay, Mohamed K. Kamara

By Karifa Thoronka

The increasing reports of isolated physical attacks on persons found to be gay seem to have no end in sight as the recent case of Mohamed K. Kamara indicates. According to reliable source, from one Morila Mansaray of Thunder Hill road Kissy Mess Mess in Freetown, he narrated by identifying Mohamed K. Kamara as one of his best friend since childhood, but Mohamed his friend had been very secretive about his sexual orientation since they were early teenagers. ‘’until I finally catch him having sex with his male partner Abass Fofonah at his house’’ he says.

Whiles explaining to the media, Morila Mansaray noted that when he visited Abass Fofonah in search of Mohamed in the Morning hour of 19 July 2017, he opens the door, and he could not bear the shock of what he had seen, so he decided to punched Mohamed on his face and remove two of his tooth. ‘’whiles I alert the neighbors as I shorted in disgust’’ he noted. Morila continue by explaining that less than a minutes crown gather in the room, started beating humiliating Mohamed K. Kamara and Abass Fofonah, and later informed the police about the awkward incident.

Responding to the incident in disappointing mood, the chief Imam in the Community says that the act is not allow in the Country, and from religions perspectives, homosexuality is problematic because it is sinful. He further by saying that the two boys most pay for their acts and their families must be harassed and humiliated until they found their missing sons.

The Chief Imam revealed that it was after serious beating, and waiting for the police to collect them Mohamed Fainted and he was rush for treatment, it was at that time Mohamed .K. Kamara disappeared. As Mohamed parents were all dead during a motor accident, no family member is ready to fight for him.

Until press time, the police and the community members are still searching for Mohamed .K. Kamara and Abass Fofonah.

Mohamed Kamara Wanted By The Police

July 7, 2017

By Mary Kabay

Mohamed Kamara of Robbiswala village in Mambolo Chiefdom, Kambia District, Northern Province, is wanted by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) for attempted murder and arson on 5th July, 2017.

The fugitive is wanted for the attempted murder of Alhaji Bangura and the burning down of the secret societal ground.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Alimu Koroma from the Legal Justice and Support Department of the Police, Mohamed Kamara whose whereabouts is unknown stabbed the alleged victim, Alhaji Bangura with a knife in the chest, while they were taking him forcefully to the societal initiation ground on the said date, said the survival members.

According to the accused’s mother, Fatmata Sesay who testified to the Police, she said her son mistakenly stabbed the victim with a knife, when five men belonging to the cult were forcing him to be part of their secret society.

She also told the Police that they have been trying for many weeks to join him into that society activity, to which, her husband, who happens to be the accused’s father is a very strong member
The victim’s wife, Mamusu Bangura told the Crime Officer, Police Detective Sergeant that they have to arrest the suspect who attempted to kill her husband who must be punished or even sentenced him to death.

According to the Crime Officer in charge of the case, police are searching for the fugitive and they will not respite the case until the accused is caught and punished if found guilty by a court for the said crime.

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