A young man, Osman Kanu, was allegedly abducted and forcibly taken to a traditional society shrine in Yoni Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, in December 2020, according to a police incident report.
The report, issued by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Freetown, states that the incident has remained unresolved for years, raising concern among residents and human rights stakeholders.
Authorities say Kanu, a resident of Yoni Chiefdom, was reportedly seized by members of a traditional society and taken to a secluded forest shrine for initiation against his will.
Prior to the incident, Kanu had allegedly resisted pressure from society elders to succeed his father, Pa Kanu, a senior member who was said to be incapacitated due to ill health. Under customary practices, the eldest son is often expected to take on such roles.
Witnesses claimed that on the night of the incident, a group of men visited Kanu’s home under the pretext of requesting a chicken for a traditional sacrifice. When he stepped outside to assist, he was reportedly overpowered and taken to a nearby forest shrine where initiation activities were ongoing.
Family members later reported hearing cries for help from the shrine but were unable to intervene due to fear, as the area was allegedly guarded by young men armed with machetes and sticks.
Further investigations suggest that Kanu later escaped during the night with the help of an unidentified elderly villager. He reportedly fled through the bush while being pursued by armed individuals.
The case remains unresolved as authorities continue their inquiries into the alleged incident.
A close source also revealed that Kanu’s family have disappeared.
Below is the full statement from the Sierra Leone Police, CID headquarters.
