Bongor village in the Bumpeh Ngao chiefdom, Bo District, has been thrown into tension following allegations that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ambrose Sovula led an assault and illegal detention of a village Imam and a Christian pastor, leaving one of them in critical condition.

According to community members and accounts shared by the victims, the incident began in the early hours of January 5, 2026, when villagers discovered what they described as a “sinister charm” hidden beneath a static pit near a local stream while fetching water. Alarmed by the discovery, the villagers reportedly took the charm to the village Imam, Ibrahim Bassie, for interpretation.

Sources within the community said Imam Bassie, after examining the object, warned of its potential danger and shared the information with residents through the village WhatsApp group, in an effort to alert the wider community.

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Speaking during Friday prayers in Bumpeh on January 16, Imam Bassie later recounted what followed. He told worshippers that shortly after posting about the charm, he was confronted by a group of men allegedly led by former IGP Ambrose Sovula.

According to the Imam’s account, he was forcibly seized, bundled into the trunk of a vehicle, and taken to an undisclosed location where he was severely beaten. Community sources said the assault left the Imam unable to speak properly and barely able to identify those who attacked him.

Pastor Emmanuel Kpengeh of the New Apostolic Church in Bongor, who said he learned of the incident shortly after it occurred, told associates that he rushed to intervene. According to accounts from witnesses and community members, Pastor Kpengeh confronted Sovula and his associates, condemning the violence and warning that it threatened peace in the community.

Despite his intervention, Pastor Kpengeh was allegedly also subjected to abuse. Sources said both the Imam and the pastor, along with two other individuals, were stripped naked, handcuffed, and further mistreated.

The victims were reportedly taken first toward the Bo Police Station, but were denied entry. Community members said they were then held at the residence of the former IGP before being transported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Freetown. There, they were allegedly detained for five days without clear charges or explanations.

On January 19, 2026, the situation took a more serious turn when Imam Ibrahim Bassie was reported to be in severe distress at his home. Family sources said he was rushed to Serabu Hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Members of the local Muslim community said his condition sparked widespread fear and grief.

Residents and leaders from the Bumpeh Ngao chiefdom say the incident has deepened divisions and heightened tension in the area. According to community representatives, elders, youths, and religious leaders are now jointly calling on the Sierra Leone government to intervene and facilitate dialogue aimed at reconciliation and lasting peace.

They warn that without urgent action to address grievances and rebuild trust, the chiefdom risks further instability.

Attempts to obtain the response of former IGP Ambrose Sovula were unsuccessful. According to information provided to reporters, Sovula said he was unwell and hospitalized and therefore unable to comment on the allegations.

Community members say the absence of accountability has only worsened tensions, with fears of retaliation and unrest growing. Many residents stress that the matter goes beyond individual abuse and reflects deeper problems in community governance and conflict resolution.

As calls for justice grow louder, the people of Bumpeh Ngao chiefdom say they are united in demanding not only accountability for the alleged abuses, but also a structured process of dialogue and healing. They believe the future peace and development of the chiefdom now depend on swift and impartial action by the authorities.