By Alhaji Ibrahim Kamara.
Information gathered by this newspaper has revealed that Mr. Mohamed Modou Mallah, formerly of Pujehun in the South of Sierra Leone and of Kissy in the east of Freetown is now on the run fearing for the safety of his life after he was declared wanted by both members of the dreaded Poro secret society in Pujehun and the Government on accusation that he had been involved in activities that are against both the society as well as the Government.
Mohamed’s troubles started in December 2021 when his father, Pa Bockarie Mallah, died and senior members of the society approached him and informed him that as the eldest son, he should succeed his father as the head of the Poro society.
Mohamed, who was not a member of the Poro society, told them that he was not interested in becoming leader of the Poro society, a response which angered the members of the society because as far as they were concerned Mohamed had no choice in the matter because since he was the eldest son of his father, he should naturally inherit the position. For him to refuse to be initiated into the society and succeed his father as head was both an affront and an abomination whose punishment is death.
To ensure that he became the next head of the Poro society, Mohamed was overpowered and taken to the society’s shrine where he was to be initiated and crowned as the next head of the society.
However, on the second night of the three days rituals, Mohamed managed to escape from the shrine and fled from the village and headed to Freetown where he was able to locate a former school friend, Abu Bakarr, with whom he was staying as the search for him continued.
During the 10 August, 2022 uprising by some dissatisfied young men and women, Mohamed and Abu Bakarr are reported to have been in the forefront of the uprising and actually took part in perpetrating violence against the people of Sierra Leone, burnt down houses and Police Stations, looted homes and took part in attacking Police Officers, six of whom they beat to death, scores of civilians were also killed, hundreds chart of others wounded, Police Stations and houses burnt down, and properties worth billions of Old Leones looted.
The reports also state that Mohamed was also involved in series of meetings where plans were made to rise against the Government and violently overthrow it.
Investigations carried out by this Reporter have revealed that on 10 August this year,
the day of the violent uprising in Freetown and other parts of the country, heavily armed Police Officers and Soldiers stormed Mohamed’s home, fired shots at his house, took away some people while Mohamed and Abu Bakarr are reported to have gone into hiding.
It was also disclosed that since that day Mohamed and Abu Bakarr have not been seen.
The community people also explained that five days after the violent incidents of August 10, they were woken up in the early morning hours of 15 August 2022 to the shouts of ‘ fire, fire ‘ as they helplessly witnessed the house next to where Mohamed was staying burn down to the ground.
A community member who refused to give his name, explained that Mohamed and Abu Bakarr have not been seen since then while those who were arrested remain in custody awaiting trial.
He revealed that strange men continue to visit their community asking for Mohamed who they normally refer to as an enemy of the State, threatening that the day they see him they will kill him.
When this Reporter talked to a Police Officer at the Kissy Police Station regarding the attack and burning down of the house, he confirmed that they have received a report of alleged arson which they are investigating.
He also confirmed that Mr. Mohamed Modou Mallah is wanted by the Police for subversive activities, incitement, riotous conduct, looting, arson, and murder, crimes for which he will be sentenced to life in prison.
As we were going to press the whereabouts of Mohamed and his friend, Abu Bakarr remain unknown.
Meanwhile, the search for Mohamed continues all over the country with a reward of ten thousand New Leones (Le 10,000.00), ten million Old Leones (Le 10,000,000.00) promised to be given to any body who will give information to the Police that will lead to his arrest.
We have also received credible information that the search for Mohamed by the Poro society men continues all over the country, as they have vowed to find him and kill him in order to appease the devil for the abomination he committed by refusing to be initiated into the Poro society and succeed his father as head of the Poro society.
