By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In the evening hours of January 6, 2018, a horrifying act of mob violence rocked the Magazine community of Freetown, leaving one man dead and another on the run. The brutal killing of Patrick Tailor and the subsequent manhunt for Alhassan Kalokoh have cast a stark light on the stigma surrounding homosexuality in Sierra Leone.
Patrick Tailor, a PlayStation gaming business operator, was beaten to death by an enraged mob after he and Alhassan Kalokoh, a young student from the prestigious Albert Academy, were discovered in what was described as a compromising situation, engaged in sexual intercourse. Witnesses reported that the pair had forgotten to lock their door, leading to their discovery and the subsequent eruption of violence.
Neighbors quickly spread news of the incident, drawing a crowd armed with sticks and makeshift weapons. The mob attacked Patrick Tailor with unrelenting fury, leaving him fatally injured. Alhassan Kalokoh narrowly escaped, fleeing the scene as calls for his blood echoed through the community.
When the Sierra Leone Police arrived, their response shocked many. Instead of intervening, officers reportedly supported the mob’s actions, claiming that Patrick Tailor “deserved” his fate. No arrests were made for his murder, and instead, the police declared Alhassan Kalokoh a wanted man, placing a bounty on his head.
Homosexuality remains illegal in Sierra Leone, a holdover from colonial-era laws. Both Islam and Christianity, the dominant religions in the country, strongly oppose same-sex relationships. This legal and cultural context has fostered an environment of intolerance, where mere suspicion can provoke violence and ostracism.
The family of Alhassan Kalokoh, who has been in hiding since the incident, has faced relentless discrimination and threats. Speaking from their home at 20 Hagan Street, Kalokoh’s aunt described the ordeal as a nightmare.
“Alhassan was a good boy,” she said tearfully. “He is not perfect, but he does not deserve to die for this. No one does. We live in fear every day, not knowing if he is alive or dead.”
This is not an isolated incident. Across Sierra Leone, individuals suspected of homosexuality have faced lynching, disfigurement or death. Victims’ families often bear the brunt of societal backlash, suffering ostracism and violence that perpetuate a cycle of fear and silence.
The killing of Patrick Tailor and the manhunt for Alhassan Kalokoh highlight urgent issues of human rights and justice in Sierra Leone. The lack of accountability for Patrick Tailor’s murder and the endorsement of mob justice by authorities reveal systemic failures in protecting vulnerable groups.
As the search for Alhassan Kalokoh continues, the Magazine community remains haunted by the events of that January morning. Meanwhile, advocates are calling for urgent reforms to address the stigma and violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Sierra Leone.
The Calabash Newspaper remains committed to reporting the truth and fostering dialogue on the difficult issues that confront our society. Only through open conversation and societal reflection can the deep-rooted prejudices that fuel such tragedies begin to be dismantled. 
