By Francess Wright
Tommy Johnson, a young and energetic Sierra Leonean formerly residing in the Peninsula village of Sussex on the outskirts of Freetown until May 2015, is reported to be in grave danger after refusing to take up his late father’s position as Agba head of the Ojeh secret society, as demanded by the society’s traditions.
According to Ojeh society regulations, the eldest son of any member who attains the highest rank of Agba automatically succeeds him upon death. However, despite his father, Robert Johnson, being a powerful and influential figure within the society—whose practices are widespread across the country—Tommy never associated himself with the group. He reportedly rejected the role due to his strong Christian faith, which condemns such practices as unholy.
Sources say that upon the death of his father, society members convened an urgent meeting and informed Tommy of his obligation to succeed him. His refusal, however, triggered anger and resentment among Ojeh leaders, who considered his actions a grave abomination and a direct affront to the society.
“Nobody has ever dared this and gotten away with it,” one angry member was quoted as saying, vowing that Tommy would be taught a lesson he would never forget if he continued to defy their demands.
Following his consistent refusal, Ojeh members reportedly issued instructions nationwide to have him forcefully arrested. Since then, they have been on high alert, searching for him.
According to accounts, one evening after attending church service in Sussex, a group of thugs allegedly hired by Ojeh members ambushed Tommy, captured him, and took him to the Sussex village headman—believing he would be handed over for ritual procedures at the Ojeh shrine.
Tommy reportedly expected protection from the village headman, but instead was seized again by desperate Ojeh members, who took him to their shrine at night for initiation. Reports indicate that he was severely beaten and tortured, leaving him with serious bodily injuries.
However, reliable sources now say Tommy miraculously escaped from his captors and fled to safety in a different, undisclosed location. He has since been strongly advised to leave the country because Ojeh members have allegedly declared him wanted, vowing to take drastic action if they ever find him.
This situation has placed Tommy in severe danger, and he now fears returning home as he continues to seek safety from those pursuing him.
