By Ibrahim Sesay
The quiet town of Kabala in northern Sierra Leone was thrown into turmoil on August 7, 2022, when a scandal involving a respected senior driver, Saio Nfagie Koroma, took a deadly turn and ended with him being declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police. According to accounts gathered by this medium, the chain of events began in an unfinished building on the outskirts of the town where Saio Nfagie Koroma was allegedly engaged in a sexual affair with another man.
A young boy, who happened to pass by, became curious about movements inside the building and peered through an opening. Shocked by what he saw, he raised an alarm that echoed across the neighborhood and within minutes drew a furious crowd. The news spread quickly and soon dozens of residents stormed the scene, angered and determined to punish what they described as an ungodly and shameful act. While some rushed off to notify the Police, others demanded immediate justice, their rage swelling as the boy’s revelation was confirmed by those who forced their way closer to the unfinished building.
Amid the confusion, Saio Nfagie Koroma realized the grave danger he faced and fled from the structure, running toward a nearby bush. The crowd pursued him, shouting threats and insults, and it became clear that his life was in imminent danger. Desperate and cornered, Saio Nfagie Koroma picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it with force at one of the men chasing him. The rock struck the middle-aged man on the head, causing him to collapse instantly. Witnesses say efforts were made to revive him but he was later pronounced dead. By that time Saio Nfagie Koroma had already disappeared into the darkness, vanishing without trace and leaving behind a town stunned by both the scandal of his alleged actions and the tragedy of a man’s sudden death.
For many residents, the incident confirmed long-held suspicions about Saio Nfagie Koroma’s sexuality. Rumors had circulated for years that despite being a mature man with steady employment as a driver and a modest trading business, Saio Nfagie Koroma was never seen in the company of women and instead surrounded himself with male companions. Until that evening, such suspicions were dismissed as hearsay because no one could provide evidence. The boy’s accidental discovery in the unfinished building changed everything, setting in motion events that ended in violence and a community consumed by anger and disbelief.
The Sierra Leone Police swiftly declared Saio Nfagie Koroma wanted, charging him with murder and same-sex intercourse, both grave offenses under the laws of the country. Homosexual activity remains illegal in Sierra Leone and carries a jail penalty and in this case the matter has been compounded by the killing of the middle-aged man, which is now being treated as homicide. Police sources stressed that Saio Nfagie Koroma must face justice and appealed to the public for credible information leading to his arrest. They further warned that anyone found to be harboring Saio Nfagie Koroma or aiding his escape would face prosecution. Despite intensified patrols and community surveillance, Saio Nfagie Koroma remains at large, his whereabouts unknown.
The shocking events have sparked intense debate across Kabala and beyond. Some residents expressed outrage, describing the incident as a disgrace that has exposed long-hidden truths, while others lamented the escalation of mob anger that transformed a scandal into a fatal confrontation. For many, the tragedy has also raised deeper questions about morality, justice and the dangerous consequences of mob violence. What began as suspicion and gossip has now turned into a murder case that has unsettled the entire town. The name of Saio Nfagie Koroma now hangs heavily in every conversation, with some demanding swift justice while others remain stunned at how quickly events unfolded.
For now, the search continues and the fate of Saio Nfagie Koroma remains uncertain. What is clear is that the town of Kabala will not soon forget the scandal that began in an unfinished building, ended in the death of an innocent man and left a community torn between outrage, grief and the uneasy wait for justice.
