Kenema, Sierra Leone – November 20, 2025: A man has been arrested in Ngaiwahun Village, Tunkia Chiefdom, Kenema District, on suspicion of exhuming graves and decapitating corpses in a local cemetery, police confirmed today.
The gruesome discovery has triggered widespread fear and anger among residents, who described the incident as a profound desecration of sacred burial grounds.
According to authorities, the suspect was apprehended after community members alerted police to suspicious nighttime activity around the cemetery. Officers acting on the tip reportedly caught the individual in the act.
Preliminary police investigations indicate the suspect may be linked to a larger network involved in ritualistic practices or the illegal trade of human body parts, a persistent issue in parts of West Africa.
“The Sierra Leone Police are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness,” a spokesperson for the Kenema division stated. “A full investigation is underway to establish the motive, identify any accomplices, and bring all those responsible to justice.”
Police have appealed to the public to stay vigilant and immediately report any unusual activity near graveyards or other sensitive locations.
Local chiefs and human rights advocates have strongly condemned the act, demanding swift prosecution and enhanced protection for burial sites across the district.
The suspect is currently in custody awaiting formal charges, with further court proceedings expected in the coming days.
Authorities say more details will be released as the investigation progresses.
