Report reaching this medium last night indicates that a student from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Umaru Matrood Kamara, has received series of death threats from members of the Poro Secret Society for refusing to be initiated into the society following the death of his father Alusine Kamara, as poro laws demands.

Speaking to a cross-section of journalists, a civil society activist, Abu Bakar Mansaray, like many others who have constantly condemned the practice of this secret society as human rights violation coupled with health implications, said Umaru’s problem started immediately after his father’s death.

As poro society rules demand, Umaru being the eldest son, was to take his father’s position in the cult any time he dies. He however rejected the request, according to Mansaray on the grounds that the practice violates his human rights to free movement and association.

According to report, members of the Poro regarded Umaru’s action as an affront and disrespect to their tradition and threatened to physically attack or kill him if he insists not to join them.

“Umaru was first attacked on March 14th 2018, when he visited his mother for holidays in the village. While there, some poro society members approached him and started shouting incantation,” the civil society activist reveals.

He said Umaru was invited to the shrine to witness the burial of his father by the society members against his wish. He wanted to give his father a befitting burial but the society members insisted that the deceased should be buried by their culture and traditions.

He accused the society elders of vowing to kill Umaru if he fails to participate in the tradition of their ancestors which prompted his early return to Freetown.

The initiation process, according to Mansaray was regarded as outdated and scary because blunt metal instruments like razor blades and knives are used to severe parts of initiates as a symbol of identity. This crude practice is said to have affected mental as well as physical wellbeing of many of their victims as they are sometimes infected with serious ailments like cancer and other dangerous illnesses.

The old-fashioned practices have been condemned by human rights organizations as well as religious bodies who have insisted is a complete violation of the country’s legal standards and citizens rights to freely practice these culture and beliefs.

On November 27th, 2018, Mr. Albert Manley Mustapha invited Umaru to participate in a cultural activity in Abidjan, the capital of Cote D’Ivoire for the Single Leg Amputee cultural group which he honoured where they spent one month and few weeks before returning home.

He disclosed that on January 24, 2021, Umaru and colleagues visited his mother in the village during the dry season and coincided with the initiation of new members.

“During this period, business and religious activities will come to a halt as non members are forced to stay indoors when ever society members are out. They will go on the rampage intimidating people and carting away anything they could lay hands on with impunity, thereby depriving the free movement of people.

The poro society is practiced mainly among the Mende, Sherbro, Temne and Kono ethic groups. Umaru decided to report the matter to the Police Station on January 25th 2021, but they were very uncooperative as they were not allowed to take complaint against the Poro initiation process. Police officers who dare to do such will be in trouble as the issue of Poro is connected to politics in Sierra Leone. Instead, they urged Umaru to seek redress at Police Headquarters in Freetown,” some police officers were quoted to have said.

In one occasion, Umaru sustained serious injuries after being seriously manhandled by society members for refusing to participate in the initiation process.

On January 26th 2021, Umaru went for the medical examination after his story attracted several human rights activists. He was finally rescued by one human rights activist who promised to take legal action against the initiators. Umaru who was pursuing his second degree in Marine Science at the Fourah Bay College could not continue his education for a whole year due to the stigma and pain this incident caused him.

Sources say, on March 27th 2022, he received a call from an unknown number and the callers identified themselves as members of the Poro society, and vowed to kill Umaru if seen or make him to lose his memory if he fails to be initiated or explains it to anyone.

“Umaru who became worried and afraid of the several death threats, decided to leave the country when he was selected by the Public Relations Officer and National Secretary General of the Single Leg Amputee Sport to travel to the United States of America to take part in cultural performance,” Alpha said.

He said even though Umaru is out of the country, the Poro Society members dressed in traditional attires frequently visits his family home at No: 9 Pownal Street, Freetown searching for him and threatening to kill him and his family. Family members have therefore expressed serious concern over his safety and wellbeing.