By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Sierra Leone Police is investigating a suspected case of murder following the shooting death of a 48-year-old man during a hunting expedition in Nenekalia village, Neini chiefdom in Kabala. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, 26 June 2025.
The suspect, identified as Ibrahim Marrah, is currently in police custody at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Kabala Divisional Headquarters. According to police reports, Marah allegedly shot his in-law, Kakie Turay, with a locally made short gun while the two were hunting in a nearby forest.
The two men, both residents of Nenekalia village—approximately seventy miles from Kabala town—had gone hunting when the tragic event unfolded. In his initial statement to the police, Ibrahim Marah claimed the shooting was accidental and occurred under bizarre circumstances.
He told investigators that while hunting, he spotted what he believed to be a wild animal staring at him. Acting on instinct, he discharged his firearm, striking the figure. To his horror, Marah said the “animal” transformed into a human being—his in-law Kakie Turay—after he approached the scene.
“Having seen this tragic incident, I then ran to the village and informed them of what had just happened in the forest,” Marah reportedly told police.
Following the report, officers from the Yiffin Police Post promptly arrested Marah and transferred him to the Kabala CID for further investigation. The case is currently being handled by Detective Sergeant A.A. Sannoh, who confirmed that an autopsy will be conducted at the Kabala Government Hospital to determine the exact cause of death.
Police say they are treating the matter as a suspected homicide pending the outcome of the forensic examination. The firearm used in the incident—a locally made short gun—has been seized as evidence.
Authorities have not commented on Marah’s claim of the victim “transforming” from an animal into a human, but have said all aspects of the case, including the suspect’s statement, will be thoroughly investigated.
Residents of Nenekalia village have expressed shock over the incident, especially given the close familial ties between the suspect and the victim. Many in the community are calling for a transparent investigation to ensure justice is served, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death.
A police spokesperson in Kabala noted that the case has drawn public attention due to the unusual nature of the suspect’s account. “While the claim of transformation may sound bizarre, our duty is to follow due process, collect evidence, and determine what exactly transpired,” the spokesperson said.
The Kabala Divisional Headquarters has assured the public that updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. In the meantime, Ibrahim Marah remains in custody, and no formal charges have yet been filed.
As the community awaits the autopsy results and further police findings, the incident has reignited conversations about the risks involved in hunting with homemade firearms and the need for tighter gun control in rural areas.
