Secret Society Threatens Ibrahim Kargbo
In the heart of Four Mile, northwest region of Sierra Leone, a dreaded male secret society, ‘the Poro’, has declared Ibrahim Kargbo wanted after refusing to take his late father’s position as head, a traditional requirement for a renown leader of the secret society.
The role is deeply spiritual and symbolic within the cultural heritage of the community, where secret societies still wield considerable influence in matters of tradition, spirituality, and local governance. The role entails rigorous traditional rites, with far reaching health implications.
Ibrahim Kargbo’s father passed away on 5th February 2022, and after his burial, preparations were underway to initiate his eldest son, Foday Kargbo, as the new head and replacement for his father.
The eldest son, Foday Kargbo, was opposed to the traditional decision that he should replace his father after his passing, and this ultimately infuriated the elders, who then forcefully took him to be initiated. What transpired during the initiation process is not known, except that on 4th March 2022, he was declared dead by the secret society during the initiation process. His remains, according to our sources, was never returned.
According to our sources, under the circumstances of his brother’s death, Ibrahim Kargbo was then required, in accordance with tradition, to take his brother’s place. Fearful that he may suffer the same fate as his brother, Ibrahim Kargbo is said to have vehemently opposed all demands from the secret society to take his late brother’s place.
His refusal sparked outrage among members of the secret society and local traditional authorities, who view his decision as a direct defiance of cultural duty, and a threat to the continuity of age-old customs. Members of the secret society and traditional hardliners were very angry and planned to forcefully initiate him. They vowed to get him to abide by the tradition or face the consequences.
Our sources revealed that Ibrahim Kargbo and his sister, Mariatu Kargbo, decided to abscond and go into hiding some few days after Ibrahim Kargbo’s encounter with the elders of the secret society. Thus, on discovery that the next in line for initiation had gone AWOL, the members of the secret society stormed the residence where Ibrahim, his brother, sister and father were known to have been living in Freetown, looking for Ibrahim Kargbo. After failing to find him, they then mounted a Man-Hunt to apprehend him, claiming that his disappearance is an affront to the secret society and complete disregard for their tradition.
According to sources in 4 Mile, Ibrahim Kargbo has been declared “wanted” by members of the secret society, triggering fears for his safety.
Meanwhile, community elders and traditional leaders have established a search party, that has gone into the neighboring villages in search of Ibrahim Kargbo. Hardliners in the district have vowed to find him and teach him a lesson, a term used for elimination of wanted persons. A nationwide search has been mounted and affiliate secret societies have been urged to track him down.
As we go to press the whereabouts of Ibrahim Kargbo are still unknown, and the search by members of the secret society continues. Homes of his known friends have been continually raided and threats of mysterious deaths befalling anyone hiding him have been issued.