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, after reports emerged that they fled their community due to fear and intimidation linked to traditional secret societies—Poro for men and 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, sparking concern among community members.
Local sources revealed to this publication that the couple had been under increasing pressure after being suspected of failing to properly respect or 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, which is traditionally a powerful male secret society involved in community governance, rites of passage, and social order. Friends say rumours spread quickly, linking him to misfortunes that the society believed needed addressing through sanctions or exclusion.
Similarly, Mrs. Conteh was said to be targeted by allegations connected to the Bondo society, the women’s secret society responsible for initiation rites and enforcing cultural norms for women.
She reportedly experienced social isolation and verbal intimidation as a result of being perceived as non-compliant or untrustworthy within those traditional structures.Residents say that once accused by Poro or Bondo members or their affiliates, individuals often face intense social pressure, including threats and exclusion, without much legal recourse, as these societies operate largely outside formal state systems.
Attempts by the couple to seek protection from local authorities reportedly yielded no results, as such matters are often viewed as cultural issues to be resolved within the community. This left the couple feeling vulnerable and increasingly fearful for their safety.
Before disappearing, the couple confided in close relatives that they no longer felt safe remaining in Port Loko, and feared that relocating within Sierra Leone would not protect them from ongoing cultural accusations, as such beliefs and sanctions tend to follow families through extended networks.
To date, no confirmed information exists about their location, and their current wellbeing is unknown. Community members fear that 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 raised concerns about the ongoing impact of secret societies like Poro and Bondo on vulnerable individuals, especially where these groups operate with impunity and beyond the 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 force families to vanish in pursuit of safety and dignity.
