By Muctarr Jall
In a country where LGBTQ+ activities remain criminalized and heavily stigmatized, one man’s lifestyle has put him at the center of a relentless manhunt. Abu Bakarr Kamara, a resident of Wellington, Freetown, is now a fugitive, wanted by the Sierra Leone Police for engaging in and allegedly promoting homosexuality. Despite efforts by law enforcement to track him down, Kamara has evaded arrest, disappearing without a trace.
Over the past months, sources have revealed that Kamara was living a double life, concealing his sexual orientation in public while engaging in secret homosexual activities behind closed doors. The investigation took a dramatic turn when police raided his house in November 2022, acting on a tip-off that an alleged “gay party” was taking place. Upon arrival, officers found evidence suggesting that multiple individuals were gathered in what authorities described as a “safe space for gay men.” By the time police stormed the premises, Kamara and several others had already escaped.
This was not the first time Kamara had been under scrutiny. Reports from community sources suggest that his lifestyle had long been a subject of speculation. However, it was not until his open interactions with certain individuals and an increase in secretive gatherings that the suspicions escalated into full-blown allegations.
Following the police raid, Kamara vanished. His home was later attacked and ransacked by unknown individuals, an indication of the hostility surrounding his alleged sexual orientation. Fearful for his life, he reportedly fled to an undisclosed location, cutting all ties with friends and family. Efforts to reach his close associates have yielded no leads—his phone remains switched off, and no one has been able to confirm his whereabouts.
The police, determined to bring him to justice, have now declared him a wanted man. Authorities have placed alerts across various communities, warning that anyone found harboring him could face legal consequences. Community members, particularly youth vigilantes, have vowed to aid in his capture, with some even placing an informal bounty on his head.
Kamara’s disappearance has sparked mixed reactions. While some believe he should be arrested and prosecuted under Sierra Leone’s laws criminalizing homosexuality, others quietly express concern about his safety. His case highlights the growing risks LGBTQ+ individuals face in the country, where legal and societal pressures make it nearly impossible for them to live openly.
Human rights observers note that cases like Kamara’s often end in violence, imprisonment, or even extrajudicial actions. Some of his alleged associates who were detained have reportedly faced severe mistreatment behind bars, further fueling fears about what might happen if Kamara is eventually caught.
As of now, Abu Bakarr Kamara remains at large. His exact location is unknown, but authorities insist that the search is ongoing. Police have urged members of the public to provide any useful information that may lead to his arrest. The government, on its part, remains firm in its stance against homosexuality, warning that those engaging in it will be prosecuted without exception.
Kamara’s fate hangs in the balance. If found, his future looks grim—either behind bars or facing the wrath of an unforgiving society. Until then, he continues to run, a fugitive in his own homeland, uncertain of what awaits him should he ever be captured.