A man has fled his home after a group of men allegedly attacked a residence in the Brook Fields area of Freetown following the discovery of his relationship. Authorities are now said to be searching for him.
The account was provided by a neighbour who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.
According to the neighbour, the incident began on March 8, 2022, when Sheka Kargbo was found with his partner, Patrick Koroma, at a residence on Bright Street in Brook Fields. Koroma’s uncle, Mohamed Koroma, allegedly entered the room unexpectedly and discovered the two men.
The neighbour said the uncle reacted angrily, shouting insults and attempting to film them. A struggle reportedly followed as the pair tried to stop the recording. During the confrontation, Patrick Koroma allegedly struck his uncle with a chair, leaving him unconscious.
Fearing exposure, arrest, and possible retaliation, both men fled the house that night, the neighbour said.
The situation escalated on March 10, when a group of men, accompanied by Mohamed Koroma, reportedly went to Kargbo’s residence on Bass Street in search of him.
“When they didn’t find him, they turned violent,” the neighbour said, alleging that the group assaulted Kargbo’s aunt, threw stones at the house, and damaged property. The men also reportedly issued threats, warning that Kargbo would be reported and arrested if found.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, and Kargbo is now said to be under search. His whereabouts remain unknown.
The incident highlights the risks faced by individuals in same-sex relationships in Sierra Leone, where same-sex sexual activity between men is criminalised under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and can carry severe penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment.
Beyond legal risks, rights advocates say individuals in such situations may also face mob violence, social exclusion, and family rejection, particularly in communities where same-sex relationships are widely regarded as unacceptable due to cultural and religious beliefs.
