By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Unidentified members of the ‘Poro’ secret society over the weekend attacked the female Paramount Chief of Kpanda-Kemo Cheifdom in Bonthe District.
PC Melrose Foster Gberie her home was attacked and vandalized in the incident which happened on Saturday evening, and she believes it is because of her opposition to the initiation of underaged boys.
“They attacked my home, broke my windows. Entered my house and took some valuables like money. They went away with six of my goats. I had my son’s [school] fee with me, up to Le10 million. They went away with it as well,” she told Politico in a telephone interview.
The “Poro” is a male secret society in which men are initiated.
PC Gberie said this is the first time she had been attacked this way by the group.
“I was against it. I said they should not initiate children below 18 because it’s a law that doesn’t apply just to female secret societies. And they didn’t seek my permission to do the initiation,” she added.
Two days after the attack, Police were yet to arrest anyone in connection with the incident. Local Unit Commander in the area, Samuel Kargbo, told Politico that they were still investigating the matters.
Gberie is now worried that the delay by the Police has left room for the perpetrators to escape.
She said: “They said they are investigating. However, the problem is, when all this started, they gave them (Police) names of leaders (Poro society). They didn’t arrest them and now some of the people have started escaping from the chiefdom.”
The Chief added: “But the Police are telling me to be patient, how will they know the perpetrators if they let these people go. They haven’t arrested anyone yet.”
LUC Kargbo said they were also concerned, but he noted that investigations take time.
“This is a concern for us because we have to try and locate where they are. But I think investigation is a process. It is very systematic, and it takes time. I also know that the law has a very long arm, no matter where you go you can’t escape justice,” Kargbo said.
Whiles they continue to search, Kargbo said they also shared the concern of Gberie concerning the underage children that were initiated. He said the investigation would not just include the vandalism of the chief’s home but also the entire initiation process.
He added: “We have been doing a lot of sensitization. As an organization, we have guidelines on secret society. In as much as it is part of our culture, we have come up with some guidelines that people should follow. It is rather too unfortunate that this was an illegal initiation.”
Gberie said she is currently worried about her safety, since the perpetrators have still not been arrested. She said the LUC had provided two police personnel who have been deployed at her home.
“My brothers also came and spend the night here, because my windows and my doors are all battered,” she said.
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