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A 13-year-old girl, Massah Momoh of Tongo Field, is feared to have died in a suspected crocodile attack at the Huwa River in the Lowoma Sei Section of Lower Bambara Chiefdom, Kenema District.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., while the girl was reportedly at the river with a friend to do laundry.
According to a report made at the Lowoma Police Post by Hawa Foday, 20, of Lowoma Town, she and Massah Momoh had gone to the Huwa River to wash clothes.
Foday reportedly told police that Massah informed her that she was going a short distance away to attend to the call of nature. Shortly afterwards, Foday said she heard Massah scream, “Oh my mother.”
After calling out several times and receiving no response, Foday reportedly returned to Lowoma Town and raised an alarm, informing authorities that her friend was missing and suspected to have been attacked by a crocodile.
The report was made in the presence of the Speaker of Lower Town, Chief Amara Porga.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Lowoma Police Post, PC Lahai Ensah, subsequently informed the Local Unit Commander, CSP Franklyn A. B. Bawoh, and other authorities in the Tongo Division.
A search team comprising police personnel, the Section Chief of Sei Section, Chief Balima Samba, and community members visited the area on Saturday but initially found no trace of the missing girl.
A second coordinated search was conducted on Sunday, August 2, involving divers, police personnel, local authorities and community youths.
During the operation, a crocodile was reportedly spotted inside an abandoned diamond-mining pit near the Huwa River. Searchers subsequently discovered the upper portion of Massah Momoh’s body inside the pit.
Police said the recovered remains were missing both hands and legs, while the crocodile reportedly retreated into the river after it was sighted.
The remains were taken to the Lowoma Police Post for medical examination. According to the information provided, the examination found no indication of foul play or human intervention.
The remains were subsequently handed over to the deceased’s relatives, who reportedly placed them in a rice bag and transported them to Tongo Field for burial.
Police have stated that investigations into the incident are continuing.
The incident has left residents of Lowoma and surrounding communities in mourning and has renewed concerns over safety around rivers and abandoned mining pits in the area.
