By Ibrahim Samura
A disturbing incident of violent homophobia has rocked the Hill Cut community in Freetown, where Alhaji Alpha Sualley, a young man known to residents in the Wash Car area, has reportedly gone missing following a brutal assault connected to his sexual orientation.
According to multiple sources within the Hill Cut neighborhood, Alhaji was allegedly in a private relationship with another man, identified as Amadu Barrie. The two had reportedly been discreet about their relationship, given the deeply entrenched stigma and criminalization of LGBTQ+ identities in Sierra Leone. However, their secrecy was shattered on the evening of Sunday, February 18, 2024, when the two were allegedly seen together in what some community members described as a “compromising position.”
What followed was a chilling act of community-backed violence. Sources close to the incident revealed that Alhaji’s family — particularly his father and elder brother — confronted him aggressively at their Hill Cut home after receiving word from a neighbor. Though Alhaji initially denied the accusation, insisting nothing inappropriate had occurred, his family and others in the neighborhood had already passed judgment.
That same night, a violent mob gathered outside his family home, where both Alhaji and Amadu were reportedly assaulted. Witnesses say the attack was orchestrated by relatives and community members, who accused the men of “bringing shame and sin” to the area. According to a neighbor who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, Alhaji suffered a deep wound to his arm during the assault, which was visibly bleeding and appeared to require medical attention.
“The shouting, the cursing — it was like a public execution,” the neighbor recounted. “They said he had dishonored the family. Someone even said it would be better if he was dead.”
Amadu Barrie, who is said to have sustained injuries to his ribs and legs during the incident, has since gone into hiding. He has not been seen since the attack, and his family has refused to comment on his whereabouts or the incident.
More concerning, however, is the continued disappearance of Alhaji Alpha Sualley. Neighbors and acquaintances report that he has not returned to his family home since the night of the attack. His phone remains unreachable, and no one — not even those closest to him — can say where he might be. Some fear the worst, while others believe he may be in hiding, afraid of being handed over to authorities or attacked again.
In Sierra Leone, same-sex relationships are criminalized under colonial-era laws, and those accused of being LGBTQ+ often face not only legal consequences but also violent retribution from their own families and communities. Human rights activists have consistently raised concerns about the rising number of attacks against LGBTQ+ individuals, but little action has been taken to protect them or bring perpetrators to justice.
Despite the severity of the attack on Alhaji and Amadu, there has been no immediate police intervention. However, sources confirm that the incident was later reported to the police by members of Alhaji’s own family. By the time officers attempted to intervene, both Alhaji and Amadu were already on the run, according to individuals close to the matter.
The Sierra Leone Police have since launched an official investigation into the incident. In a move that has drawn mixed reactions from rights observers, both Alhaji Alpha Sualley and Amadu Barrie have been declared wanted persons in connection with the incident. Law enforcement has not yet issued a formal statement on the nature of the charges or the grounds for declaring the pair wanted, but community sources suggest it stems from ongoing societal and legal hostility toward same-sex relationships.
Meanwhile, residents in the Wash Car area remain uneasy. While some quietly express sympathy, most speak in hushed tones about the incident, fearing backlash for showing support or empathy. “This is not just about two people being beaten,” said a local resident who witnessed part of the chaos. “It’s about fear. It could happen to anyone who is different.”
As of now, Alhaji Alpha Sualley remains missing, and his partner Amadu Barrie’s whereabouts are also unknown. Their silence is a chilling reminder of the deep-rooted dangers LGBTQ+ individuals face in Sierra Leone — dangers that many are still unwilling to speak about publicly.
Authorities have yet to provide further updates on the investigation.