On Wednesday, August 28, Abu Joko Bangura, the
Secretary General of the Council of Traditional Healers in Sierra Leone,
reported that the organization has documented the apprehension of more than 250
individuals suspected of witchcraft across the country.
This revelation was made during an interview with
Awoko, where Bangura provided detailed insights into the Council's
findings.
The data collected by the Council spans from 2022
to 2024, covering various regions of Sierra Leone. According to Bangura, of the
250 suspects identified, 120 were found in the provinces, while the remainder
were detected in Freetown.
The majority of those apprehended were women,
with some children also implicated. These individuals were identified through
thorough screenings and investigations conducted by the Council in both
Freetown and the provincial areas.
“Our investigations have shown that Freetown has
the highest concentration of suspected witches in Sierra Leone,” Bangura
disclosed during the interview. This alarming trend, he noted, highlights the
capital city's unique challenges in dealing with witchcraft-related activities.
The Council's records indicate that more than 130
of the 250 suspects remain unaccounted for, adding complexity to their efforts
to combat what they consider a significant threat. The Council of Traditional
Healers is preparing to launch a major operation aimed at purging
witchcraft-related activities across the country after the rainy season
concludes.
According to Bangura, this operation will focus
on the destruction of demonic charms, which the Council claims are used to harm
people's futures and sustain malevolent practices. He emphasized the Council’s
belief that witchcraft inflicts profound spiritual damage and causes serious
issues that negatively impact individuals' lives.
"Due to these reasons, we are committed to
eradicating witchcraft across the country once the rainy season
concludes," Bangura affirmed. He also issued a stern warning, stating that
any individual found practicing witchcraft will be apprehended, disarmed of
their charms, and punished accordingly.
Bangura further explained that while witches are
found throughout Sierra Leone, Freetown bears the brunt of their activities.
He attributed this to the migration of suspected
witches from other provinces to the capital, driven by their malevolent
objectives. This influx of suspected witches has been linked to an increase in
various afflictions among innocent residents, including severe diseases and
physical injuries.
The Council's ongoing efforts underscore their
commitment to addressing what they perceive as a serious threat to public
health and safety.
The planned nationwide purge and the destruction
of harmful charms reflect the Council's dedication to combating the spiritual
and physical challenges they associate with witchcraft. As the rainy season
ends, the Council of Traditional Healers aims to intensify their efforts to rid
Sierra Leone of what they view as a pervasive and destructive force.