Investigations mounted by this medium in respect of a report of an alleged hunt mounted by members of a secret society for one Aminata Abi Moriba, who is said to have escaped from the shrine of a female secret society, and has exposed their activities to the police, mainly male officers in the Bo District.Our investigation further discovered that there has been a connivance between the police and the members of the secret society to arrest and deliver Aminata Moriba and her friend to the society.
Speaking with family members on the escape of Aminata, it was revealed that according to their tradition, all young girls should go through the initiation ceremony carried out by the society, as after completing the rites, they will be recognised as full women. It is their rite of passage from girls to womanhood. They disclosed that during discussions on the family’s decision for Aminata to be initiated, they said that she vehemently opposed their decision, on grounds that the practice was dangerous to women, and has the proclivity to render them barren at best, and at worse, result in the death of the victim.
Neighbours spoken to, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, said that on 31st March 2022, they saw members of the female secret society in the village, known as ‘Bondo,’ drag Aminata from her house and took her away to the secret society bush, and that during the entire journey, Aminata was fighting, but was unable to break loose from their grip, because they were many. They also disclosed that there were fears from many families over the danger posed to the lives of girls taken for initiation, adding that there have been recent cases where some girls have bled to death after going through the ritual, which involves cutting of the clitoris by traditional women, with traditional instruments than any medical equipment, followed by the use of herbs, than any modern medical treatment. They maintained that this practice, though criticised by many Civil Society Organizations, has been encouraged by politicians, as it is an easy way to get votes from locals.
According to one elder member of the society, who also wished to remain anonymous, Aminata was taken to their society shrine in the forest, where the ceremony was to be performed on her, together with some 3 other girls. She revealed that whilst arrangements were being made for the ritual, Aminata was left in the hands of an elderly member to keep an eye on, but she was able to escape from the woman, after pretending that she wanted to ease herself, andsince she was stronger than the two women in whose care she was entrusted, she managed to escape from the shrine. She further explained that upon arriving in the town after her escape, Aminata went directly to the police to report about the inhuman practice, further exposing what is practiced in their shrine to the male police officers at the station. This was a taboo, and such people should face the wrath of the Gods and be punished. She further explained that an agreement was reached with the police to invite them when they arrest Aminata.
According to a Friend of Aminata, again, speaking to us on the basis of anonymity, for security reasons, said that Aminata told her that she had escaped from the police, when it became clear to her that they wanted to hand her over to the society people, as they claimed that the matter is purely a traditional matter that has to do with the traditional practice of the people, and they should not investigate same, as it is purely a female secret society, and a taboo for men to interfere in. Aminata’s friend furthered that Aminata hurriedly left her house when she heard that the police and the society people, in connivance with the police, have mounted a hunt for her. She expressed fear of being targeted if people know that she had seen Aminata after she left the shrine and the police. When asked about the whereabouts of Aminata, she maintained that since she left her house, she has not heard a word from her nor has she seen her.
Meanwhile, our investigation revealed thatAminata’s matrimonial home and husband,Denis Moinina Moriba, was targeted by the secret society and the police in Bo, on grounds that he was hiding Aminata Moriba.
In further investigation,Police sources also confirmed that the police are also looking for Aminata, but refused to be drawn on what action they will take against the society people over the attempted forceful initiation of Aminata against her will, contrary to the recent law passed by Parliament to protect the rights of women.
As we go to press, the whereabouts of Aminata Moriba are still unknown.
