Makeni, Sierra Leone – Authorities in the North East Region have detained 19-year-old Unisa John Turay following the shocking discovery of his girlfriend’s body in their Makambo Village home, police officials announced.
The incident, which unfolded on the evening of February 18, 2026, around 10:00 PM, has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for stronger measures against domestic violence.
The victim, identified as Sydriatu Bangura (also known as Adama Sidiratu Bangura), was found lifeless in a pool of blood with a suspected stab wound to her neck. Family members alerted the police, prompting a swift response from the Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A team led by Regional Crime Officer D/ASP Ishaka Lamin Turay arrived at the scene, where they documented evidence, including photographs, and recovered a kitchen knife believed to be the weapon used in the attack.
Turay, a SSS3 student, was arrested shortly after and has since confessed to the killing during interrogation.
In a recorded statement, he cited Bangura’s threat to end their relationship as the trigger for his actions, expressing that it felt like a profound betrayal at the time.
“Her threat to break up with me felt like a devastating blow,” Turay reportedly told officers, describing his emotional turmoil at the time.
He also noted that her family was aware of their ongoing relationship, with him frequently visiting their home. Despite the admission, Turay voiced regret, stating he now recognizes the wrongfulness of his decision.
Bangura, reportedly a student at Makeni Medical Science, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her remains were transported to Makama Government Hospital in Makeni for a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death. Investigations by Bombali District police are ongoing, with no formal charges filed yet as they gather further evidence.
The tragedy has left the tight-knit Makambo community reeling, with neighbors recalling the couple as seemingly typical young partners who had been together for some time.
Social media reactions have been fervent, with some residents demanding the reinstatement of the death penalty to deter such crimes, while others offered prayers for Bangura’s soul and emphasized the need for justice.
