Elders of Poro secret society in Bombohun village, Jawie chiefdom in Kailahun District, in eastern Sierra Leone, have declared lbrahim Vandy, son of late Pa Vandy wanted for his refusal to replace his late father in their hierarchy as the society rules demand, reports have emerged.

Pa Vandy was one of the most senior members of the society and their law demands that when a senior member (elder) dies, his position will immediately be occupied by his eldest son.

According to reports, when Pa Vandy died someime in 2021, his eldest son was immediately asked to fill his late father’s position which he readily accepted. Unfortunately though, he did not survive the initiation passage as he died immediately after the rite.

Reports say, when lbrahim who resides in the capital, Freetown went attend his late brother’s funeral in the village, the Poro society members wasted no time to ask him to occupy the vacant position. Aware of the situation, lbrahim is reported to have accepted the elders’ request but asked them to give him time as he was not readily prepared.

Sources disclosed that the young man’s plea fell into deaf ears as he was forced to accept the offer. Knowing that he had no option at that point, he yielded. But as fate may have it, and given his background as a staunch Christian, lbrahim miraculously escaped from the society bush before his pending initiation.

Incensed by lbrahim’s action,  the society members immediately declared him wanted for what they described as violation of their society rules and for uninitiated member to enter their bush (sacred shrine) and escape for fear of exposing their secrets.

“They have vowed to search for him everywhere in the country and threatened to decisively deal with him, if need be to kill him anytime they get hold of him,” an anonymous source is quoted to have said.

Aware of the severity of his punishment, lbrahim immediately fled to neighbouring Guinea in January 2022. And considering the close tie between Guinea and Sierra Leone, lbrahim felt threatened that he would be arrested and extradited, so he then fled to Turkey.

While in Turkey, lbrahim again faced a renewed threat of Turkey’s poor human rights records as he was threatened with deportation. And considering what awaits him if he is sent back to Sierra Leone, he then decided to seepage to Greece for safety. And since that time nothing has been heard about his whereabouts which has scared his family members who are still doubtful about his security.

And even though Poro society has been widely condemned by both human rights defenders and religious bodies in the country for being evil and its health related implications including life threatening injuries and deaths, its practice is still widespread. And sadly, victims have no protection not even from the government, because the Poro members are considered most powerful here. It’s against this backdrop and the safety of lbrahim that his family believe his life will be in serious danger if he returns to the country.