Reports reaching this medium in Freetown state that one Ibrahim Sillam Bangura with his friend, Roy, is being sough by youths for involvement in the act of homosexuality.
According to sources, Ibrahim Sillam Bangura (a known footballer) and his friend (Roy), are said to have left there homes to meet at a prominent football field where he was to play in a football competition which was organize by community stakes holder. However, after the match, both youths are said to have retired to a popular entertainment center at the community , having fun with other players and supporters.According to sources the youth were suspecting Roy and Ibrahim to being in a same sex relationship which has brought anger among the youths.Few months later the youths were searching for them after the facts they have seen at the club because they have know that it’s no longer a rumoured .
Our source revealed that January 2024 Roy were said to have gone to the club to have fun with friends.Roy went through the back of the club into an unfinished house nearby to have a cool atmosphere.The caretaker is said to have raised an alarm, which brought youths and neighbors to the scene and one of the youth asked him,why are you gay and Roy said to them, that is not your concern, which lead the youth to anger. He was mercilessly beaten until his fell unconscious and later die at police custody early 2024. This situation created the opportunity for Ibrahim to save his life. The youth are searching for him and he was into a hiding, in hot pursuit by some of the youths.
News of this incident spread like wildfire and they began looking for Ibrahim, as such acts are described by both religious faiths as demonic and should not be tolerated in society. Thus, a man-hunt was mounted for him and which the police mounted investigation concerning the LGBTQ. According to residents spoken to, this act is equated to witchcraft in traditional society, and culprits often face death under the guise of cleansing.
Our engagement with Ibrahim Sillam Bangura’s family members in their home in Freetown revealed that Ibrahim hails from a devout Muslim home,because of the humiliation lead to his father.
illness, a prominent Islamic cleric respected in the community. It was further revealed that Ibrahim had been seen regularly with his friend, Roy, but no one had the slightest inclination that both men were gay. People, including his family, believed that they were close because they loved football, and had witnessed them arguing about it.
Thus, the news of him being caught red-handed in such an act, baffled and at the same time angered them. They disclosed to this medium that several people had come asking for Ibrahim, but they only got to know that he is being sought after when some angry youths pelted their house with stones, accusing them of harboring a gay, who, in their view, is equated to a witch. Family members expressed how embarrassed they were when they heard the whole news, adding that they have been the subject of ridicule in the community and frequent verbal attacks and threatening remarks.
Homosexuality is an illegal act in Sierra Leone and both religious faiths condemn it, describing it as satanic. Traditional society also frowns at such acts, often eliminating the perpetrators under the guise of cleansing: A ritual that is undertaken in the forest, consisting of alleged several rites, often ending in the disappearance of the perpetrators.
As we go to press the whereabouts of Ibrahim Sillam Bangura, are still unknown and a Man-Hunt has been mounted by elders and youths in the entire area, including his community in Freetown, with messages for his arrest sent to other districts.
