Maifina Village, Bombali District – Abdulai Koroma, a young man from the village of Maifina in the Paki Massabong Chiefdom, Northern Province, is currently on the run after a harrowing encounter with members of a secret society that left two men dead.

On February 28, 2021, Abdulai had traveled from Freetown to visit his grandfather, Pa Yamba, a renowned traditional healer, in Maifina. Unknown to Abdulai, his grandfather had allegedly arranged for his initiation into the deadly Poro Society, a tradition that had long been followed by men in his family.

The annual initiation ceremonies, which take place between February and March, were underway, and Abdulai was set to be one of the participants.Abdulai recounted that during a celebratory gathering, a group of men dressed in white approached him, forcefully taking him to the secret society bush. Despite his resistance and repeated pleas to be spared from initiation, the men overpowered him and carried him away.

Upon arriving at the society’s bush, Abdulai was informed that his initiation had already been paid for, and there was no escape. He was beaten and held overnight as drums echoed throughout the society grounds, signaling the start of the brutal initiation ritual.His resistance escalated the next day when his grandfather visited him in the society bush.

Abdulai confronted his grandfather, who insisted that initiation was a family tradition. Furious and feeling betrayed, Abdulai continued resisting, eventually resulting in his involvement in a violent confrontation. During a scuffle with one of the Poro initiators while trying to fight his way out, Abdulai fought back with such force that he hit one of the members with a large stick, inflicting fatal injuries.

It was later confirmed that this led to the death of a society memberDesperate for freedom, Abdulai fled into the thick bush under the cover of darkness. For three days and nights, he hid in the trees, evading the group of men hunting for him.

When the search party finally gave up, Abdulai made his way to Mabroka town, where he collapsed from exhaustion. His uncle rushed him to the local hospital, where he was treated for severe injuries, including sharp blade cuts used during the initiation attempt.

After being discharged, Abdulai’s uncle advised him to leave Bombali District, warning him that the Poro Society members would not rest until they had avenged the deaths of their fellow members. Knowing that his life was in danger, Abdulai fled to Freetown, where he informed his mother of the ordeal.Fearing for his safety, Abdulai left Sierra Leone on February 28, 2021, seeking refuge in Liberia.

He has since been living in hiding, fearing the Poro Society’s deadly reach. His brother, who remains in Maifina, confirmed that society members are still searching for him, vowing to capture him and carry out their deadly rites.

Following the reported deaths of the society members, Abdulai has since been declared wanted by both the secret society and the police. Sources from Bombali town disclosed that the secret society members seek to avenge the deaths by killing Abdulai as a sacrifice.

Abdulai continues to suffer from the physical and psychological effects of his escape, experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, body pain, and vomiting. His family remains deeply concerned for his safety, as the secret society’s influence stretches across Sierra Leone.

Community members in Bombali District are living in fear, as tensions between traditional secret societies and individuals who resist their practices remain high.

This incident highlights the ongoing conflict between traditional customs and the rights of individuals to refuse participation, sparking debate about the balance between cultural heritage and personal freedom in Sierra Leone.