The Council of Traditional Healers Sierra Leone has reported the arrest of over 250 individuals suspected of practicing witchcraft across the country.

According to the Council’s Secretary General, Abu Joko Bangura, the majority of those apprehended were women and children.

“Our investigations have revealed that Freetown has the highest concentration of suspected witches,” Bangura told Awoko. The Council’s data, spanning from 2022 to 2024, indicates that more than 130 of the apprehended individuals remain unaccounted for.

The Council plans to launch a major crackdown on witchcraft-related activities after the rainy season. They aim to destroy demonic charms that they claim are used to harm people’s lives and perpetuate malevolent practices.

“Witches are prevalent throughout the country, but Freetown faces the most severe impact,” Bangura noted. He attributed the influx of suspected witches to the capital to their malevolent objectives, which have been linked to an increase in various afflictions among innocent residents.