Investigation conducted by BBC Africa Eye revealed the existence of networks offering human body parts for magic rituals in Serra Leoa. Dois juju practitioners agreed to provide organs and limbs in exchange for payment, claiming to serve powerful clients of África Ocidental. The crimes, known as ritual killings, remain unpunished in most cases due to a lack of police resources and internal beliefs within security forces.
Cases of mutilation occur frequently in the country, especially during election periods. Crianças and adults appear dead with organs removed, such as eyes, arms and genitals. The population of 8.9 million has only one coroner, which prevents adequate autopsies.
Networks offer bodies for up to US$3,000
A practitioner identified as Kanu, in a remote area of Kambia, charged 70 million leones (about US$3,000) for a complete woman intended for ritual. Ele displayed a human skull and indicated the place where parts of the body are hung after slaughter.
In Waterloo, a suburb of Freetown, another suspect named Idara claimed to command 250 herbalists. Ele received a disguised request and reported that his team had already identified the victim for nighttime capture.
The police operation resulted in the arrest of Idara and two associates last June. Foram bones, human hair and cemetery substances were found in the residence.
Impunity affects most cases
The boy Papayo, aged 11, was found mutilated in a well in Makeni four years ago. Órgãos vitals, eyes and arm had been removed. Ninguém has been convicted to this day.
In May 2025, Fatmata Conteh, 28 years old, appeared dead on the side of the road in the same city. Dentes front panels were missing, a common sign of ritual crime according to residents. The autopsy was inconclusive.
Authorities face a lack of basic structure. Apenas thousand registered doctors serve the entire country, compared to 45 thousand traditional healers, according to 2022 WHO data.
Police depend on traditional healers
Agents admit they are afraid of investigating juju practitioners due to their belief in supernatural powers. Operações against suspects only occurs in the presence of leaders of traditional healers.
Sheku Tarawallie, president of Conselho of Curadores Tradicionais, participates in police raids. Ele claims that criminals tarnish the image of legitimate traditional medicine.
Tarawallie found enough evidence in Waterloo to temporarily arrest the suspects. The accused have been released since then.
Belief in witchcraft makes investigations difficult
Most police officers maintain beliefs in witchcraft, according to internal reports. Casos remain unresolved for fear of supernatural retaliation.
Researcher Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu estimates that 90% of perpetrators of ritual murders are never arrested in African countries. Crimes appear as accidents or natural deaths in official records.
Election period increases risk of kidnappings
Parents receive extra alerts during political campaigns. Praticantes claim greater demand for human parts to guarantee candidate victory.
Kanu said he welcomed politicians from Guiné, Senegal and Nigéria to his sanctuary on the eve of elections. Ele ensured ability to provide any body part requested.
The BBC investigation handed recordings and locations to the authorities of Kambia and Freetown. Até At the moment there has been no feedback on progress in the investigations.
