By Forum Staff Writer
The tight-knit community of Kobanka village, nestled in Ribbi Chiefdom of Moyamba District, has been left in shock and disbelief following the gruesome murder of 37-year-old Alie Kamara, a well-known blacksmith and farmer. The incident, which occurred under the cover of darkness, has sent ripples of fear and sorrow through the farming village as neighbours grapple with the brutal loss of one of their own.
Kamara’s life was tragically cut short on a fateful night while he spent time with one of his wives in the Lilihammer section of the village. According to family members, the suspected perpetrator is none other than Kamara’s 23-year-old nephew, Sullay Kabia. Allegations of deep-seated animosity between the two have emerged in the aftermath of the killing, with sources pointing to escalating tensions over accusations of theft.
In the hours leading up to the tragic event, Kamara and Kabia had reportedly been embroiled in a series of heated arguments. Kamara had accused his young nephew of pilfering produce from his farm, including cucumbers and Groundnuts. These disputes over farm theft added to the strain on their relationship, further exacerbated by a separate financial conflict. Kabia had alleged that Kamara had withheld half of a monetary gift sent to him, claiming he only received NLe100 from an intended NLe200. Kabia vehemently denied the accusations of theft, while Kamara’s frustration with his nephew’s perceived misdeeds continued to fester.
It was around midnight when the tragic attack occurred. Kamara’s wife, who was with him at the time, recalled hearing her husband step outside their home to use the restroom. Little did she know that it would be the last time she would hear his voice. In the stillness of the night, Kabia is believed to have stalked his uncle, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When Kamara failed to return after several minutes, his wife grew concerned but assumed nothing of it until the morning.
At around 6:21 a.m., the villagers awoke to the horrifying discovery of Kamara’s lifeless body, which bore the grim signs of a violent assault. His body was found with multiple stab wounds, and his neck had been viciously slashed. The gruesome nature of the murder has left many in the village traumatized, as they struggle to comprehend how a family dispute could spiral into such a horrific act.
Kabia, after allegedly committing the heinous crime, fled the scene in a bid to escape justice. However, he was swiftly apprehended by local authorities and is currently being held at the Bradford Police Station for further questioning, While the exact details of the crime are still under investigation, villagers are urging the authorities to conduct a thorough probe to bring clarity to the circumstances that led to Kamara’s death.
As of now, no postmortem examination has been conducted, and Kamara’s body has yet to be released to his grieving family. The village of Kobanka is grappling with both the loss of a beloved community member and the reality that the crime was allegedly committed by a close relative. The murder has cast a dark cloud over the village, as many reflect on how an escalating family feud led to such a tragic and violent end.
The community of Kobanka now waits anxiously for answers and justice, hoping for closure and peace in the wake of this devastating incident.
