By Richmond B. Tholley
A 35-year-old man from Makoni Line, Kunike Barina Chiefdom, in the Northern District of Tonkolili, has been arrested in Magburaka and is currently under investigation for allegedly killing his grandmother.
The suspect, Abdul Gbla, reportedly attacked his grandmother, Ya Kadiatu Sankoh, with a stick, striking her on the back, which led to her death. Gbla allegedly accused his grandmother of bewitching him, claiming she was holding back his destiny and impeding his progress.
Local authorities and law enforcement officials have urged the family to remain calm as the investigation continues.
Gbla is currently in police custody in Magburaka, while the deceased’s body is being held at the Magburaka Government Hospital for a postmortem.
According to the media officer of the Magburaka Police Station, Issa Hassan Gbla, the suspect has been living in Makong, a nearby village, but returned recently to Makoni Line.
Upon returning back to the village, the grandson confessed that his grandmother was publicly boasting that there was nothing he could do after he realized the old woman was the one delaying his progress and bewitching him, according to the police spokesman.
On the day of the alleged incident, the deceased was returning home from the mosque after observing the early morning Islamic prayers when she was attacked by her grandson. The incident has sent a shockwave throughout the community, with residents expressing deep concerns over the nature of the offense.
The police media officer quoted the suspect saying he did not regret his action. The matter is currently being investigated, and the dead body of the deceased woman has been handed over to the family for burial.
