Falaba Rape Suspect Claims Traditional Healer Supplied Ritual Items Before Attack

A suspected attempted rape case in Falaba District has taken a new turn after the suspect, Abdulai Conteh, allegedly claimed that a traditional healer provided him with ritual items he believed would help him carry out the attack.

Conteh was reportedly apprehended by residents after they allegedly caught him in the act. In a video circulating on social media, the suspect claimed that the traditional healer gave him a white cloth and plastic materials, which he believed would make him invisible and prevent the victim from raising an alarm.

The claims have sparked concern among community leaders, who are calling for a wider investigation into the alleged involvement of the traditional healer. They have demanded that justice be pursued not only against the suspect but also against anyone found to have aided or encouraged the alleged crime.

According to reports, Conteh has also confessed to committing similar offences in Manara and Madina, prompting the Sierra Leone Police to investigate whether there is a wider pattern of sexual violence linked to the suspect.

The case has renewed discussions around the influence of traditional beliefs in criminal activities, with authorities maintaining that no cultural or spiritual belief can justify violence against women and girls.

Police have encouraged members of the public to report cases of sexual and gender-based violence through official channels, stressing the importance of timely reporting and proper investigations.

The development comes amid ongoing national efforts to strengthen the response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). In 2024, more than 3,000 cases of sexual violence were recorded across seven Rainbo Centres, while the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey estimated that 62 percent of women aged 15–49 in Sierra Leone have experienced physical or sexual violence.

Conteh remains in police custody as investigations continue, including efforts to verify his claims of previous attacks and determine whether other individuals may be connected to the alleged offences.