Superstition and belief in black magic remain deeply rooted in Sierra Leone, where a series of brutal killings have been linked to the illegal trade of human body parts. An investigation by BBC Africa Eye has revealed disturbing details, highlighting how ritual beliefs continue to fuel violence and fear across the country.
Four years ago, an 11-year-old boy named Papayo was murdered in the name of black magic. His mother, Sallay Kaloka, is still waiting for justice. Speaking to the BBC, she said her son disappeared after she went to the market to sell fish. Two weeks later, his body was recovered from an abandoned well, with vital organs missing, including his eyes and one hand.
According to Sallay, such incidents are not isolated in her hometown of Makeni. Residents frequently report disappearances followed by the discovery of mutilated bodies. However, many cases are not properly investigated, partly because Sierra Leone has only one pathologist for a population of nearly 8.9 million, making forensic examinations extremely difficult.
BBC Africa Eye found that practitioners of juju, or ritual magic, use human body parts for charms and ceremonies, promising wealth or power to their clients. Some of these individuals openly claimed to have customers across West Africa, including influential figures.
During the investigation, an undercover journalist posing as a politician met a juju practitioner named Kanu near the Guinean border. Kanu claimed he had worked with powerful politicians from Guinea, Senegal and Nigeria, especially during election periods. He even displayed a dried human skull, allegedly belonging to a woman, and stated that female body parts could sell for up to seven million leones, around 3,000 US dollars.
BBC later handed the gathered evidence to the police. Subsequent raids led by Police Commissioner Ibrahim Sama resulted in the recovery of human bones and hair from suspected locations. Despite these efforts, many previous cases have stalled in court, with suspects released on bail.
While the investigation was ongoing, a 28-year-old woman named Fatmata Konte was murdered in Makeni, her body found with teeth forcibly removed. Locals suspected another ritual killing, but her family received no answers even after a post-mortem examination.
Like Papayo’s mother, countless families continue to suffer in silence, as fear, superstition and weak law enforcement allow such crimes to persist.
GLIVE/TSN