One of the plundered graves at Ascension Town cemetery
By Umaru Fofana
If you think human corpses have nothing on them to steal then think again, because it seems Freetown’s dead won’t be allowed to rest in peace and quiet.
The municipality says robbers have directed their trade at those who should know no robbery.
The City Council says hundreds of graves in the municipality have been broken into and plundered by robbers.
A press release from the council says “the actions by the miscreants are more economic than ritualistic”.
However the deputy chief administrator of the council responsible for cemeteries, Mohamed AS Koroma told Politico that ritual purposes could not be ruled out. He said there had been a spike in the incidents surpassing pre-Ebola period.
The council says the last two months have witnessed nearly 250 graves having been dug out especially at the Ascension Town cemetery. The robbers have carted away decor, rings, earrings, watches, chains and ornamental brooches.
Koroma says they are concerned because “this is a very serious problem…and immediate action is going to be taken.” He said the Mayor of the city had held meetings with the Inspector General of Police to provide security for the cemeteries.
Several graves seen by Politico at the Ascension Town were dug up with corpses seen roughed up inside some of them.
Yesterday Mayor Bode Johnson and his team of council officials visited some of the affected cemeteries.
(C) Politico 09/02/16
