Hunting down those who kill people to sell their body parts for ‘magic charms’

BBC Africa Eye’s investigation has exposed a grim trade in human body parts in Sierra Leone, where juju practitioners kill people to supply charms for clients seeking power and prosperity, with undercover operations leading to arrests but ongoing challenges in justice. In Sierra Leone, numerous families are living in fear due to ritual killings connected to black magic, known locally as juju. These murders involve the removal of body parts, which are sold to practitioners who promise enhanced potency for charms that allegedly bring wealth and influence. The authorities often fail to investigate these cases thoroughly, leaving communities traumatized and without closure. One poignant example is the case of 11-year-old Papayo, murdered four years ago. His body was discovered at the bottom of a well with vital organs, eyes, and an arm missing. His mother, Sallay Kalokoh, expressed her anguish over the lack of justice, highlighting how such incidents are common yet rarely solved, perpetuating a cycle of fear and impunity. To delve deeper, BBC Africa Eye went undercover, with a reporter posing as a politician seeking to gain power through human sacrifice. In the remote Kambia district, they met a juju man named Kanu, who wore a red mask and boasted of working with high-profile politicians across West Africa. He claimed his shrine was bustling during election seasons and even displayed a human skull as evidence of his trade. During a second encounter, Kanu specified prices for body parts, quoting 70 million leones (approximately $3,000) for a woman’s limbs. Although the team did not proceed further to avoid endangering anyone, they provided evidence to police. However, follow-up on Kanu’s case stalled, reflecting broader investigative hurdles. Another practitioner, Idara, operated in Waterloo, a crime-ridden suburb of Freetown. He claimed to lead a network of 250 herbalists and detailed how they coordinated to obtain specific body parts. Upon receiving a tip that Idara’s team had identified a victim, the BBC alerted police, who conducted a raid with the assistance of traditional healer Sheku Tarawallie. The raid led to Idara’s arrest, along with two others, after human bones and other evidence were found. They were charged with practising sorcery and possessing ritual weapons, though they pleaded not guilty and were released on bail. This case underscores the collaboration between police and traditional healers, yet superstitions among officers often impede proactive measures. Compounding the issue, the murder of the reporter’s cousin, Fatmata Conteh, during the investigation, showed similar hallmarks of ritual killing, with missing teeth. Her family paid for an autopsy that proved inconclusive, and no arrests have been made, mirroring the frustration felt by many victims’ families. Overall, the investigation reveals a clandestine economy driven by superstition and greed, with most perpetrators evading capture due to systemic weaknesses. While efforts are underway to legitimize traditional healing, the fear of ritual murders continues to haunt Sierra Leone’s poorest communities, calling for enhanced resources and cultural shifts to ensure justice and safety.