Unmasking the Dark Trade of Human Body Parts in Sierra Leone
With many families left traumatized by killings apparently linked to supposed magic rituals in Sierra Leone, BBC Africa Eye looks into those behind the trade in human body parts.
Warning: This article contains details some readers may find disturbing.
The mother of an 11-year-old boy murdered as part of a suspected black magic killing four years ago is devastated that no one has yet been brought to justice for his death.
Today I'm in pain. They killed my child and now there is just silence, Sallay Kalokoh told BBC Africa Eye, explaining how her son Papayo was found with parts of his body removed, including vital organs and an arm.
His family searched for him for two weeks, only to find his mutilated corpse at the bottom of a well.
This murder in my hometown of Makeni, Sierra Leone haunts me, as reports of killings linked to black magic that go uninvestigated by authorities continue.
Despite severe limitations in resources, including only one pathologist for 8.9 million people, the police have not confirmed whether Papayo’s death was linked to ritual activities where body parts are used in magical practices.
Belief in witchcraft is so deeply ingrained that officers often hesitate to pursue such cases. To investigate this dark trade, the BBC Africa Eye team spoke to alleged juju practitioners, exposing their networks and operations.
Undercover investigations led to a juju man, Kanu, who claimed connections with prominent politicians and offered body parts for rituals. He even showed evidence of his practices.
In the capital, Freetown, another suspect named Idara claimed to manage an entire network of herbalists who engage in the practice, showing that this issue extends beyond single incidents.
Despite providing evidence to local authorities, there is a pervasive fear and betrayal among communities where ritual killings occur, leaving families like Papayo's without closure.
Statistics about these ritual murders remain obscured, with many cases misclassified or ignored entirely, as Sierra Leone struggles with a legacy of violence and underdevelopment.
As families seek justice and accountability, they are met with the frustrating reality that many perpetrators remain unpunished, deepening the sorrow and terror of communities.
Additional reporting by Chris Alcock and Luis Barrucho
