Pres. Bio Urges Strict Adherence to Preventive Measures

April 1, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

On Sunday 29 March 2020 at State House President Bio urged Sierra Leoneans to remain vigilant, promote social distancing and avoid unnecessary physical contact as part of precautionary measures to fight the Coronavirus disease.

Speaking to Christian Leaders and clergymen at the “National Prayer for God’s Help for the Preservation, Peace, Development and Prosperity of Sierra Leone” event at State House, the President said that they were meeting to pray because Sierra Leone is a nation that believes in God, adding that only God would deliver the nation from what is happening around the world.

He said that the nation has not registered a case of Coronavirus but that the event was an opportunity to thank God for spearing the small-West African nation while praying for His continued guidance over the nation.

He noted that his Government had put certain measures in place as a way of fighting the virus in the event it emerges. He also said that awareness-raising is very important to fighting the virus and therefore called on the clergymen to help spread messages about the virus to their followers.

Bishop Akintayo Sam-Jolly, one of the clergymen at the event, said that they were meeting to seek God’s face against a virus which had crippled bigger and wealthier nations. He thanked the President for being humble to God, saying that such is the way great leaders and kings behave.

President Bio’s Accelerated Delivery Promise… 9 Reasons Why The Focus Should Be On Agriculture

April 1, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Going way back into human history, civilization began with agriculture and still remains very important because every country in the world depends on agriculture for one thing or another. Here are the main reasons why agriculture is important in developing a poor country like Sierra Leone:

It’s the source of our food supply

Arguably the most important aspect of agriculture is that it’s the source of the world’s food supply. No matter where or what you are eating, the ingredients in your meals came from somewhere. All roads lead to agriculture. In countries dealing with food insecurity and severe malnourishment, it’s because their agriculture sectors are suffering. When agriculture thrives, fewer people go hungry.

Raw materials

Many raw materials, whether it is rice, cotton, sugar, wood, palm oil, vegetables, fruits, come from agriculture. These materials are essential to major industries such as the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, fuel, plastic and more. Raw materials are so important in production that the economic health of a country strongly depends on how many raw materials it possesses.

It Is important to international trade

Raw materials from agriculture make up a huge portion of what’s traded internationally. Countries with plenty of those supplies export them and trade for materials they don’t have. If a country’s agriculture suffers for some reason, prices can go up and it disrupts the flow of trade.

4.It plays a big role in a nation’s revenue

Developing countries still get most of their national income from agricultural exports. While developed countries don’t depend on agriculture as much as they used to, their economies would definitely take a hit if all exports suddenly stopped.

5.It provides employment

The agricultural industry is still one of the biggest sources of employment and in many areas, it is actually booming. Whether it is working as a farmer, harvester, technician for farm equipment, scientist, and so on, there are plenty of jobs available in this field. In developing countries, agricultural jobs help reduce high rates of unemployment. When it comes to reducing poverty, evidence shows that focusing on agriculture is significantly more effective than investing in other areas.

.6.It is crucial to a country’s development

Economic development is tied to a country’s agriculture sector. When trade, national revenue, and employment are combined in a positive way, a country enjoys reduced poverty and boosted economic growth. Because strong agriculture results in benefits fairly quickly, focusing on it is one of the best ways to speed up development and improve a country’s standing in the world.

It can help heal the environment

Agriculture possesses the power to harm or heal. When farmers prioritize biodiversity on their land, it benefits the earth. Greater biodiversity results in healthier soil; less erosion; better water conservation and healthier pollinators. This is all good news for the environment as a whole, making agriculture an important part of the cycle of life.

It drives innovation in technology

Because healthy agriculture is so essential to a country’s well-being, it is the setting of some of the most exciting innovations in technology. Through artificial intelligence, block-chain software, gene manipulation, and more, scientists and farmers have been figuring out ways to increase crop productivity, use less water, and reduce negative impacts on the environment. For scientists and tech companies, agriculture is one of the most fascinating and productive fields to work in.

9-.The state of agriculture reflects our future

When it comes to pollution and climate change, the environment and agriculture suffer the quickest and with the clearest consequences. If effective changes aren’t made, climate change’s impact on agriculture will decimate a country’s economy and eventually wipe out the food supply.

To get a better idea about where humanity is going to end up, look at agriculture. What’s being done to adapt to a rapidly-changing climate? What will our food supply look like? The state of agriculture is a good litmus test of what we can expect the future to look like.

Orange SL Offers its Esteemed Subscribers ‘Wanpot’ Package

April 1, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Orange Sierra Leone, one of the country’s leading telecommunications companies has offered its numerous subscribers an exciting product tagged ‘Wanpot’ which is yet to be officially launched.

Wanpot, in Sierra Leone is referred to a dish that is prepared when you put all the necessary ingredients together in a single pot to cook. It is a delicacy that is shared with love among friends and families and it is also loved because it can be easily and quickly prepared.

Orange SL is enthusiastic to state that Wanpot is an exciting new offer that proffers solution to most of the issues that the traditional postpaid service could not solve. The new product combines with its postpaid and prepaid features that give customers a monthly bundle for a fixed price with abundant data allowance.

For as low as one hundred and fifty thousand Leones (150,000), customers can have abundant voice minutes for local and international calls both data and SMS inclusive .

With this new offer, customers can control their flow with the flexibility of recharging as and when necessary or when monthly limit is exhausted at the comfort of any home. Unused voice amount will be rolled over to the next month.

This product specifically targets corporate institutions, businesses and high profile individuals

Dynamics

To be activated for this service, call/send SMS to 420 or visit any of our shops across the country.

For subscription renewal, customers can use either top up or Orange money. For top up dial *420# and select option 3, enter the number and recharge. For Orange Money payment platform, dial #144# select option 5 and then 6 in the drop down menu and enter the number you want to recharge.

Orange Sierra Leone does not plan to slow down when it comes to B2B services and so we will continue to work hard to enhance telecommunications in the market, in line with the Government’s agenda for ICT to ensure that the country at the forefront of communication in Africa and by extension, the world.

It has been established that Orange SL remains committed to keeping its valued Customers ahead through the provision of the latest technologies along with reliable and superior network quality through an enhanced world class system for an unmatched experience.

NP-SL Bags First Class Petroleum Marketing Company Status

April 1, 2020

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, NP (SL-Ltd).

By Amin Kef Sesay

NP Sierra Leone Limited it has been established as a first class company that has stood the times during very challenging times in the business of importing and marketing petroleum products. The major factor identified this putting this cutting edge business entity into a very fortified position to weather difficult storms could be attributed to the unresolved and indisputable selflessness of the shareholders of the company and successive Management Heads. With level headedness both have injected positive initiatives that have contributed enormously to transform the fortunes of the organization for the better.

NP-SL is indeed well known for its dominance within the petroleum landscape of this country as it stands tall as the leading oil marketing entity within the business landscape not only of this country but even beyond. Commendably, the company has branches in neighboring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia that are vibrantly functioning in terms of meeting and satisfying the petroleum needs of individuals and institutions.

With dedicated members of staff whom are very polite and friendly in attending to its numerous customers, the company has created a niche for its enhanced customer care posture. It has been attested by many that one of the core reasons why they prefer doing business with NP is because of the dignified way in which the company’s attentive members of staff, especially the pump attendants , treat them furthering that they are very helpful and courteous. Besides, they intimated this medium that NP is a very reliable company justifying that assertion by pointing out that anytime there is any form of fuel scarcity in the country the company is the last, among other oil marketing companies, that would shut-down sales.

One thing that is very certain is that in all these countries where the company is operating huge taxes are paid to the Governments thereby contributing to the revenue baskets of those countries from which funds are used to finance certain development programmes or projects. At this crucial moment when countries are going through difficult economic times to have a company like NP, which falls with the largest tax payer bracket, helps greatly to mitigate the debilitating effects of economic recession.

The company had provided and is still providing employment opportunities for citizens in these countries and in doing so it lays emphasis on employing indigenes as it strongly believes in developing an indigenous working corp. This posture of the company is in sync with enhancing local content that places premium on making use of local human resources of countries where it is functioning instead of importing foreign expatriates. This helps greatly to enhance national developments and reduce poverty in those countries.

NP-SL has been greatly praised by many for its installation of state of the art calibrated pumping machines at its Filling Stations which are capable of giving customers value for money. This simply means that these machines are capable of pumping the exact quantity of fuel and at the same time simultaneously displaying the price. According to those that this medium caught up with, they always feel very much satisfied when transacting with the company saying the entity is transparently conducting business.

With the avowed objective of making their customers very comfortable, NP-SL introduced two new innovations that have now become useful to many. There is NP Gas and NP Smart Card. NP Gas is a form of cooker that uses gas to power it. Manufactured in different sizes they can be easily refilled and are being sold at reasonable prices. They have been proven to be environmentally friendly and easy to handle.

With regards the NP Smart Card it can be used to purchase fuel without using physical cash. Its biggest advantage is that it prevents individuals to rush to the bank in order to be financially solvent to purchase petroleum products. Sometimes the banks may have closed down to members of the public and if an individual wants to purchase fuel but has no money in his possession such will be a big embarrassment especially on a Friday. It is against such a backdrop that the NP Smart Card comes in very handy and besides it can help promote transparency because whenever fuel is purchased and pumped it is debited from the Smart Card and when the card is loaded it is credited.

Indeed, it has been established that the petroleum products imported by NP-SL are of high quality and very good for engines. The company timely imports high grade quality petroleum products like petrol, diesel and lubricants, one of which is the widely utilized Castrol oil. The products that the company imports are always well tested to ensure that they are very good for use and are environmentally friendly. Some have attested that simply because they are using the company’s products such has helped greatly towards enhancing the good performances of their cars, generators and other gadgets that are powered by either petrol or diesel.

Frankly enough, NP Sierra Leone Limited has truly proven that it is a dedicated and competent company that is effectively able to compete within the West African sub-region.

WYCF Commissions Evangelical Primary School Makeni Ferry

April 1, 2020

Founder/Executive Director, We Yone Child Foundation, Santigie Bayo Dumbuya handing over the newly renovated school to the people of Makeni Ferry

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their Support in complementing the Government’s Free Quality Education in the country, We Yone Child Foundation (WYCF) with support from Wegdan Foundation in the Netherlands has on Monday 30^th March, 2020 finally fulfilled the dream of the people of Makeni Ferry, Koya Chiefdom in the Port Loko District with the commissioning of a newly 6 classroom renovated Evangelical Primary School.

The event was graced by relevant stakeholders including community youths, teachers, elders, chiefs, past and now pupils, religious leaders and a host of residents of Makeni Ferry and its environs. They expressed delight and praised the two Foundations for what they termed as its timely intervention that will come in handy with numerous benefits.

Founder/Executive Director, We Yone Child Foundation, Santigie Bayo Dumbuya in his handing over statement extended appreciation to Brian Wagdam, Founder of Wagdam Foundation in the Netherlands for his support towards the accomplishment of this project.

He said that before undertaking the project his organization did an assessment within the Port Loko District and after a massive assessment they decided to choose the Evangelical Primary School because of the condition of the school, adding that on their visit they noticed that the school was in a dilapidated state with no furniture and that the pupils were sitting on the floor.

He further disclosed that the organization, through the support from the Wagdam Foundation, has renovated the Evangelical Primary School with finished furniture in all the classrooms.

He said that Agriculture is the livelihood of teachers and parents within the Makeni Ferry community and for that reason they will implement an Agricultural project through the support of Wagdam Foundation.

Supervisor of Schools, Ministry of Basic Education, Koya Chiefdom, Foday Suma, who represented the Ministry applauded We Yone Child Foundation and Wagdam Foundation for the renovation of the school which he said is in line with the Government’s Free Quality Education agenda, adding that the renovation has given a face lift to the community.

He urged the school authorities to make good use of this gesture which he said will not only benefit them but generations to come.

Head Teacher, Evangelical Primary School, Abass Sesay also extended appreciation to We Yone Child Foundation for what he described as a timely intervention adding that as a school they were really challenged as the condition of the school structure was not good.

He assured the organizations that they will take proper care of the facility further pleading to the organizations to help them in order to complete the three class room building which the community is currently constructing in order to host the junior secondary school.

In charge of Nana product in Sierra Leone Ali Abiss said that he is very impressed with the Founder/Executive Director, We Yone Child Foundation, Santigie Bayo Dumbuya for a job well done. He also urged parents to send their children to school saying education is the key to success and that with this conducive learning atmosphere it will enhance the development of children.

Education Secretary of the Evangelical Mission, Richard D.K Sesay, also applauded We Yone Child and Wagdam Foundations for renovating the school.

He said as a mission they are very committed to enhance the conditions of all their schools across the country underscoring that with this support they will enhance the development of the pupils. He admonished teachers and pupils to ensure that they use the facility wisely and take responsibility for its sustainability.

Denis Sandy & 4 other Ministers Donate Protective Equipment plus Le22m

April 1, 2020

Minister of Lands Dr. Denis Sandy and four other ministers handing over the items to the beneficiaries

By Foday Moriba Conteh

To complement the efforts of Government in its drive to enhance nationwide preparedness against the Coronavirus some Ministers including the Minister of Lands Dr. Denis Sandy, the Minister of Energy, Kanja Sesay, Minister of Mines, Foday Rado Yokie, Minister of Fisheries, Emma Kowa and her Deputy on Saturday 28^th March, 2020 donated Personal Protective Equipment to eleven Constituencies in Bo District.

The donation of Veronica buckets, soap etc with the sum of Two Million Leones was handed over each to Chairpersons of the various targeted Constituencies as a way of assisting towards gearing up preparedness against the coronavirus in the country.

In his address, Minister of Lands, Dr. Denis Sandy, disclosed that the donated items are to be used by constituents to enhance hand washing awareness among their constituents in order to prevent the coronavirus from being transferred from person to person through handshakes and communal meetings, adding that the coronavirus is a very deathly disease that is killing people around the world.

He encouraged them to use the items in the fight against the Corona Virus especially at a time like this when this virus is wreaking havoc all over the world causing the deaths of thousands of people.

He also said that the two million Leones donated is meant to be used to buy other items that will help to prevent contracting the deadly COVID-19.

He said that the fight is not limited to certain individuals but it is a collective fight which he believes Sierra Leone as a nation will definitely win, stating that the President has instituted some measures which implies that the country has put mechanism in place to contain the virus in the country. He admonished citizens to observe all preventive measures issued by the Government in order to contain the coronavirus the country.

Receiving the items, one of the beneficiaries extended appreciation to the Ministers for the donation which he termed as timely promising that they will use them wisely in order to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

He also admonished citizens to adhere to hand washing and observe all preventive measures issued by the Government and health practitioners.

He said that the ministers have showed their total loyalty to the nation and to HE President Bio since both of them were appointed Cabinet Ministers.

Choithram Donates Personal Protective Equipment to MoHS & Constituency 125

April 1, 2020

Head of the ultra-modern Choithram Memorial Hospital in Sierra Leone, Harish Agnani handing over the items to the Minister of Health Alpha Wurie

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a bid to accomplish its corporate social responsibility, and to support the Government of Sierra Leone in the preparedness against the coronavirus, Choithram Memorial Hospital on Monday 30^th March, 2020, donated associated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. The donation took place at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation Conference Room, Youyi Building in Freetown.

Head of the ultra-modern Choithram Memorial Hospital in Sierra Leone, Harish Agnani, extended appreciation to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for its robust actions in preventing the Coronavirus from entering the country, adding that the coronavirus is a deadly disease that has put the world on hold and presently it needs collective responsibility to curtail the entry and spread of the virus in the country.

He said that the donation is a small one, but underscored that Choithram has imported four ventilators with equipment, mobile X-Ray and Mammography, which will arrive in Sierra Leone soon and these will be installed stating they will definitely benefit Sierra Leoneans, adding that they are expecting experts to come and install them. He however pleaded with the Ministry, in the event that they are unable to get the experts to install them, to help with the installation.

Harish Agnani disclosed that they are donating 100 veronica buckets, 1,000 bars of soap, 48 Hand Sanitizers and 120 packets of tissues to the Ministry of Health, which will be added to the country’s preparedness for any outbreak of the coronavirus.

Gowrinath M. George, Medical Superintendent of Choithram Memorial Hospital, underscoring the importance of the machines that will arrive soon in the country, disclosed that they will not only benefit the Choithram hospital, but the country as a whole, adding that these machines after being installed, will enhance better health system in the country and serve as a viable and cost effective alternative to traveling abroad for treatment.

On his part, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Prof. Alpha Wurie, applauded Choithram for the donation, which he said is part of their corporate social responsibility and that these items will be distributed and used for the rightful purpose. He also added that this is not the very first time that Choithram has meaningfully contributed to the health sector in the country.

He further disclosed that in a day, the Ministry received two donations; one from Milla Group of Companies and Choithram Memorial Hospital, describing them as timely interventions.

Prof. Wurie also explained that the Government of Sierra Leone has imported 50 ventilators, which will soon arrive in the country in a bid to boost the country’s preparedness towards the coronavirus fight.

In another development, Choithram Memorial Hospital, on Tuesday 31^st March 2020, donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Constituency 125 through the Honorable Member of Parliament, Hon. Alusine Kainde Alu-Conteh, in an event that took place at Kroo Town Road, Freetown in his Constituency.

20 Veronica buckets, 20 bowls to collect waste water, 20 Hand Sanitizers, 300 bars of 999 soap and 60 packets of tissues were part of the package donated.

Labour Minister and Four others Indicted

April 1, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a Press Conference held on Tuesday 31st March, 2020 at its Gloucester Street Head Office in Freetown, the Anti-Corruption Commission disclosed that it has filed an indictment against Alpha Osman Timbo, the Minister of Labour and Social Security (MLSS),who was also former Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), of No. 17 Jalloh Street, Wellington, Freetown

The ACC also indicted Emily Kadiatu Gogra, Deputy Minister, MBSSE of No. 9 Wharf Lane, Shell, Freetown; Charles Tom Kamanda, the Permanent Secretary, MBSSE of H.S 28 Hill Station, Freetown; Mamusu Massaquoi, Director of Nutrition, School Feeding, MBSSE of No. 8 Emmerson Bockarie Drive, Adonkia Freetown; and Zainab Binta Kamara, a business woman of the Lion Inn, No. 16 Wilkinson Road, Freetown, on Fifteen (15) count charges of corruption offences including Misappropriation of Public Property, Contrary to Section 36(1); Failure to Comply with Applicable Procedures and Guidelines, Contrary to Section 48(2)(b); Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence, Contrary to Section 128; Converting Property Knowing same to be Proceeds of Corruption for the Purpose of Disguising the Illicit Origin, Contrary to Section 52(1)(a); and Abuse of Office, Contrary to Section 42(1), of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12, of 2008 respectively.

Justifying the charges, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner Ben Kaifala said that between October, 2019 and December 2019, Alpha Osman Timbo, in his then capacity as Minister, (MBSSE) Emily Kadiatu Gogra, as Deputy Minister (MBSSE) and Charles Tom Kamanda, as Permanent Secretary (MBSSE) misappropriated public property to wit: Forty-Nine thousand bags of 50 Kg rice, meant for the school feeding programme.

According to what was intimated by the ACC all three of them face jointly one (1) Count of Misappropriation of Public Property Contrary to Section 36(1), one (1) Count of Failure to Comply with Applicable Procedures and Guidelines, Contrary to Section 48(2) (b), one (1) Count of Conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, Contrary to Section 128, and one (1) Count of Abuse of Office Contrary to Section 42(1), of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12, of 2008.

The ACC stated that Mamusu Massaquoi, as Director of Nutrition, School Feeding, MBSSE, between October 2019 and December 2019, misappropriated public property to wit: Forty-Nine thousand bags of 50Kg rice, adding that she faces one (1) Count Charge of Misappropriation of Public Property, Contrary to Section 36(1), one (1) Count Charge of Conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, Contrary to Section 128, and three (3) Count Charges of Abuse of Office, Contrary to Section 42(1), of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12, of 2008.

He noted that Zainab Binta Kamara, on the other hand, as business woman, between October 2019 and November 2019, converted property to wit: Four thousand, one hundred bags of 50Kg rice, meant for the school feeding programme and that she faces one (1) Count Charge of Misappropriation of Public Property Contrary to Section 36(1), one (1) Count Charge of Conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, Contrary to Section 128, one (1) Count Charge of Converting property knowing such property to be Proceeds of Corruption for the purpose of Disguising the Illicit Origin, Contrary to Section 52(1)(a), one (1) Count Charge of Concealing the True Nature of Property which is the Proceeds of Corruption, Contrary to Section 52(1)(b), and one (1) Count Charge of Possessing property knowing same to be the Proceeds of Corruption, Contrary to Section 52(1)(c), of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12, of 2008.

“Meanwhile, the indicted persons are expected to appear in the High Court Holden at Freetown on a date to be set by the Master and Registrar.

The Commission reassures the general public of its determination to curb graft at all levels in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone Records 1st Case of COVID-19

April 1, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

The President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio in an address to nation on Tuesday 31^st March, 2020 at State House confirmed that Sierra Leone has recorded its first Coronavirus case. He also announced new measures as part of Government’s efforts to fight the virus.

Addressing Pressmen and Civil Society members, the President said they would continue to actively disseminate information through various modes about symptoms of the highly infectious and deadly disease and urged citizens to report themselves, loved ones, community members who showed flu-like symptoms, including fever, dry cough, and difficulty in breathing.

He said that the Government had activated the Emergency Operations Centre to Level 2 with all attendant pillars and pre-positioned testing, isolation, and treatment facilities to care for the sick, adding that in the last few days the Government had received additional equipment and supplies. He assured citizens that the healthcare facilities were safe with trained healthcare workers ready to respond to cases.

“Government of Sierra Leone COVID-19 Response Team is now fully activated. We strongly urge citizens to observe all hygiene and social distancing protocols. Hospital is the best and only place where qualified healthcare personnel can offer you comprehensive medical care. Again, immediately report all persons with symptoms – dry cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.

“A number of additional measures are in effect starting today and I strongly urge strong compliance from every citizen. These will affect the transportation sector, traditional practices, religious practices, trading, and entertainment. The National COVID-19 Response Secretariat led by Brig (Rtd) Hassan Kellie Conteh will announce the full raft of measures immediately,” he said.

The President also reiterated that there was no lockdown noting that the Government would respond rapidly to changes in the situation by announcing additional enhanced measures.

The newly appointed interim National Coordinator of Government of Sierra Leone COVID-19 Response, following the declaration of a state of public emergency recently, Brigadier (Retired) Kellie Hassan Conteh, said that in due course they would further announce a raft of other measures to reinforce already existing actions, including the use of law enforcement agencies.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie, said the nation is lucky because the index case was taken by his wife from his place of quarantine straight to the hospital where he was tested and proven positive. While he emphasised that they would still need more support, he also assured that the available testing kits were enough to undertake some immediate random testing of all those who might have come in contact with the patient. He added that they had done a lot of testing before now.

Dreaded Secret Society Declares Ibrahim Osman Bangura Wanted

March 30, 2020

By Samuel Kargbo

Reports reaching this medium from the Northern town of Mashibra, Tonkolili District, revealed that a young man by the name of Ibrahim Osman Bangura is being sought after by members of the dreaded Secret Society, ‘The Poro’, after escaping from the secret society shrine halfway through initiation to replace his late father, a senior member of the society, In accordance with the society law and tradition.

According to Investigation mounted by this medium in the town, Ibrahim Osman Bangura is the only son of the late Pa Alimamy Santigie Bangura, Section Chief and a senior member of the ‘Poro Secret Society’, a dreaded secret society in the country, and also a devout Muslim
He had been told that he should replace his father in accordance with the tradition, a directive he vehemently refused. After a year away from the village, the elders in the Chiefdom invited him to a ceremony, allegedly to commemorate one year of his father’s demise. Our source, who wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons, explained that the said reason for the invitation was a farce and that the visit was to coincide with a village celebration that will be held at the Town center.

Ibrahim Osman Bangura is said to have arrived at the Town center oblivious of the plan abduction. While in the company of some youths, a young man shouted some society chant and a group of men descended on Ibrahim and dragged him away into the society bush in a nearby forest.

Our source, a close friend of the late father, disclosed that in the early hours of the family day, Ibrahim Osman Bangura was stripped naked, amidst stiff resistance from him, leading to heavy beating from society youths. Overpowered, he was held to the ground while an elderly member of the society, charged with the responsibility to commence the first set of ritual, began cutting different parts of his body with a razor blade and inserting some concoction into them. He admitted that during the said process Ibrahim Bangura was busy shouting, and later fell helpless, apparently due to the bleeding. He was then left in a corner of the shrine, watched by some youths.

Our source furthered that they were awaken by an alarm raised by the youths guarding Ibrahim Bangura that he had escaped and gone deeper into the forest. A team of society members then pursued him to no avail. Returning with news that he had managed to escape capture, society members then stormed the family house where he was staying. They threatened to kill anyone who habors him, as it is a taboo for anyone to see what obtains at the shrine without being completely initiated, and anyone hiding such individual is constantly an accomplice and liable to serious punishment.

Another source told this medium that there are reports that Ibrahim Osman Bangura was discovered in a pit by one hunter in a nearby village and had rescued him, and was seen limping. The said hunter was contacted, and he disclosed that after rescuing Ibrahim, he brought him to a small hut near the highway and returned into the bush for some herbs to treat his wounds, but on his return he did not find him. He also disclosed that some people had come to look for him, armed with machetes.

This medium also visited Ibrahim Osman Bangura’s family, but we were told that since he was abducted on that fateful day, they have not seen him. They furthered that they could not go to the police or the Chief, as they are members, and discussing secret society matters was a taboo.

As we go to press, the whereabouts of Ibrahim Osman Bangura are still unknown, and the secret society members are still looking for him, issuing threats against his life.

1...811812813...1,051 Page 812 of 1,051