Port Loko Couple’s Whereabouts Unknown After Fleeing Pressure Linked to Poro and Bondo Societies
By Northern Correspondent Port Loko
The whereabouts of a married couple from Port Loko District in northern Sierra Leone remain unknown following reports that they fled their community amid fear and intimidation linked to traditional secret societies—the Poro for men and the Bondo for women.
The couple, identified as Sahid Abass Alie Jalloh and his wife Mariatu Conteh, were last seen several weeks ago, according to neighbours and family sources. Since then, all attempts to contact them by phone or through relatives have failed, raising concern among community members.
Local sources told this publication that the couple had been under mounting pressure after being suspected of failing to fully conform to the cultural expectations and rituals of the Poro and Bondo societies, which wield significant influence in Port Loko and surrounding areas.
Mr. Jalloh reportedly faced suspicion and accusations of disrespecting the Poro society, a traditionally powerful male secret society involved in community governance, rites of passage, and social regulation. Friends say rumours spread rapidly, with some linking him to alleged misfortunes within the community—claims that, within such traditional settings, often lead to sanctions, exclusion, or intimidation.
Similarly, Mrs. Conteh was said to have been targeted by allegations connected to the Bondo society, the women’s secret society responsible for initiation rites and the enforcement of cultural norms. She reportedly experienced social isolation and verbal intimidation after being perceived as non-compliant or untrustworthy within those traditional structures.
Residents say that individuals accused by members or affiliates of either society often face intense social pressure, including threats and ostracism, with limited access to legal remedies. Such matters are frequently treated as cultural issues and resolved outside formal state institutions.
Sources close to the family claim the couple sought protection from local authorities, but their concerns were reportedly dismissed on the grounds that they were cultural matters best handled within the community. This, they said, left the couple feeling exposed and increasingly fearful for their safety.
Before their disappearance, the couple reportedly confided in close relatives that they no longer felt safe remaining in Port Loko. They also feared that relocating elsewhere within Sierra Leone would not shield them from continued accusations, as traditional networks and beliefs often extend across communities and family ties.
To date, no confirmed information is available regarding their location, and their current wellbeing remains unknown. Some community members believe the couple may have fled the country in search of asylum and protection from persecution linked to cultural and traditional belief systems.
Local human rights advocates have renewed concerns about the impact of secret societies such as Poro and Bondo on vulnerable individuals, particularly where these groups are perceived to operate with impunity and beyond the effective reach of formal legal protections.
For now, Sahid Abass Alie Jalloh and Mariatu Conteh remain missing—their silence a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched cultural practices can compel families to disappear in pursuit of safety and dignity.
