By Alie Abdis Turay
A Sierra Leonean nurse from Kalangba, near Makeni in the Northern Province, has reportedly fled his home area and gone into hiding after allegedly refusing to succeed his late father as a senior leader of the Poro Society.
Mohamed Simbo Bakarr Kamara, born on September 7, 1990, is a Temne and the eldest son of the late Abu Bakarr Kamara, popularly known within the family as Pa Yamba. His relatives describe his late father as a senior Poro Society leader who served as Second-in-Command.
According to Kamara’s mother, wife, relatives and close friends, leadership responsibilities within the society had traditionally remained within the Kamara family, making Mohamed the expected successor following his father’s death.
However, family members say Kamara has consistently refused to assume the position, citing his childhood experience in the Poro Society, his personal convictions and his Muslim faith.
According to relatives, Kamara was taken into the Poro bush at about the age of 11 for initiation. They allege that he subsequently experienced severe psychological trauma after witnessing the death of another young boy during the initiation process.
The experience, they say, contributed significantly to his decision to distance himself from the society as he grew older.
Kamara later pursued a career in healthcare, qualifying as a nurse and becoming involved in nursing and training. Relatives say he largely avoided active participation in the Poro Society despite his family’s traditional connection to it.
His family further believes that his Islamic faith strengthened his decision not to accept the leadership position.
The situation reportedly intensified following the death of Kamara’s father on July 15, 2025.
Family members say Mohamed cared for his father during his illness and played a role in arrangements for his burial. However, according to relatives, senior members of the Poro Society later objected to the manner in which the body had been handled and insisted that it be returned to the family’s ancestral village for traditional burial rites.
The family claims that the body was subsequently exhumed and transported to the village.
Relatives say the incident caused Kamara considerable emotional distress and further strengthened his determination not to become involved in the society’s leadership.
Around September 2025, family members say several elders approached Kamara and informed him that he was expected to succeed his late father.
Two of the elders identified by relatives were Pa Brima and Pa Saidu.
According to the family, Kamara explained that he could not accept the position because of his childhood experience, his personal convictions and his Islamic faith.
The elders reportedly returned on another occasion and again urged him to accept the responsibility, warning that his refusal would bring dishonour to his late father and the family.
The situation allegedly took a violent turn while Kamara was living in the Rogbah Junction area of Freetown.
According to relatives and friends, several men from his home area confronted him and accused him of bringing shame upon the community because of his refusal to accept the Poro leadership position.
Kamara reportedly managed to escape and subsequently left Freetown for Bo in December 2025, where he stayed in the Mendewa area while attempting to remain out of sight.
On February 2, 2026, Kamara was allegedly attacked again.
Relatives and friends claim that several men confronted him, accused him of disgracing the Poro Society and demanded that he accept the leadership position. They allegedly threatened to kill him if he continued to refuse.
According to the accounts provided by his relatives, Kamara was beaten until he lost consciousness and was later taken to hospital for treatment.
The family claims that he left the hospital before completing his treatment because he feared that the alleged attackers could return and locate him.
After leaving Bo, Kamara reportedly travelled to Magburaka to attend his aunt’s funeral.
However, relatives say his whereabouts were eventually discovered.
Around late March 2026, several men allegedly arrived at the house where he was staying, dragged him outside, forced him into a vehicle and drove him to a remote bush area.
According to his relatives, Kamara managed to escape from the bush and eventually made his way to Makeni.
He later travelled to Mama Village near Waterloo, where he reportedly went into hiding.
As of press time, the exact whereabouts of Mohamed S.B. Kamara could not be independently confirmed.
His family says they have been unable to establish his current location, while members of the society are reportedly still searching for him.
The allegations contained in this report are based on accounts provided by Kamara’s mother, wife, relatives and friends. The identities of the alleged attackers and the Poro Society members accused of threatening or pursuing Kamara could not independently be verified at the time of publication.
The case has raised broader questions about individual freedom, traditional authority, religious conviction and the right of a person to decline participation in a traditional institution.
Family members and traditional leaders have been urged to pursue dialogue and ensure that individual rights, personal choices and human dignity are respected.
“Kamara’s situation is not an isolated incident. It is time we put the dignity and rights of every citizen at the forefront,” a source familiar with the matter said.
The whereabouts of Kamara remain unknown as efforts by his family to locate him continue.
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