Sierra Leone juju traders: Hunting down those who kill for human body parts

Hunting down those who kill people to sell their body parts for 'magic charms'

1 day ago Share Save Tyson Conteh BBC Africa Eye, Sierra Leone Share Save

BBC Papayo's mother Sally Kalokoh has not come to terms with her son's death and wants his killers found

With many families left traumatised 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 his vital organs, eyes and one arm. He had gone out to sell fish at the market and never came back. His family searched for him for two weeks - and finally found his mutilated corpse at the bottom of a well. "We always tell our children to be careful. If you are selling, don't go to a corner or take gifts from strangers. It happens frequently in this country," Ms Kalokoh said. This murder in my hometown of Makeni, in central Sierra Leone, has haunted me as we often hear of reports of killings linked to black magic, also known as juju, that are never followed up or properly investigated by the authorities.