Man Allegedly Declared “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Poro Society; Mother Appeals for Government Intervention

By Ibrahim Kabba.

A tense situation is unfolding in Mogbama Village, Bo District, after a 16-year-old boy, Sulaiman Sow, was reportedly declared “wanted dead or alive” by the powerful male traditional group known as the Poro Society. The development has sparked fear within the community and prompted urgent calls for government intervention.

Speaking to the media in tears, Kadiatu Kamara, the boy’s mother, narrated how the troubling events began. According to her, Sulaiman had been living in Freetown when his uncle, Kobia George, invited him to Mogbama Village in June 2021.

She alleged that the uncle told her that he was taking her son to visit his late father’s grave. However, she later discovered that the true intention was to initiate him into the Poro Society without her knowledge or consent.

Kamara said she does not know exactly what transpired during the initiation process, but she later received reports that her son had escaped from the initiation session after witnessing or learning things he was not supposed to know as a non-member.

She further claimed that the elders of both the society and the village vowed to capture him and ensure that the ritual was completed.

“My son may have made mistakes, but he does not deserve to die,” she said through tears. “We are begging the government to step in before something terrible happens. For weeks now, I have not seen or heard from him.”

Sulaiman is believed to be in hiding, while his family remains under emotional strain.

According to local sources, Sulaiman allegedly violated traditional rules or defied directives issued by members of the society. In response, he was reportedly declared “wanted dead or alive” — a phrase that has generated widespread anxiety throughout the community.

Residents of Mogbama Village say the declaration has created panic, with many fearing potential violence. Meanwhile, community elders have declined to comment publicly, citing the secrecy that surrounds the society’s internal affairs.

The Poro Society is a traditional male secret society that plays a significant cultural and spiritual role in several West African countries, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

Historically, society has functioned as a custodian of customs, conflict resolution, and community discipline. Members undergo initiation rites and are bound by strict codes of secrecy and loyalty. In many rural areas, the society wields considerable influence over social norms and decision-making.

While supporters describe it as a vital pillar of cultural heritage, critics argue that its authority can sometimes conflict with modern legal systems and internationally recognized human rights standards.

The incident has reignited debate over how governments balance respect for long-standing cultural traditions with the protection of individual rights under national law.

Although secret societies like the Poro remain influential in many West African communities, constitutional law ultimately governs matters of life and death.

For now, a mother’s cry for help echoes beyond Mogbama Village, underscoring the urgent need for clarity, protection, and justice before the situation escalates further.