Reports from Malal village in the Malal Mara Chiefdom, Tonkolili District say about twenty two houses have been allegedly burnt down by irate youth. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. Assistant Superintendent Ibrahim Samura is the Head of Police Media and Public Relations. He disclosed to CTN that although the cause of the fire was unknown, reports gathered so far indicated that the incident was not unconnected to an alleged adoption of a middle aged woman, of Kayen-kay-sah village, Makarie Gbanti Chiefdom, Bombali District.

He said Ramatu Koroma was mysteriously missing when he went to visit Malal village to collect her money.

ASP Samura said when the irate youth of Kayen-kay-say got the information; they thought their relative has been kidnapped for ritual sacrifice. He said that resulted in the alleged attack of Malal village, where about twenty two houses were burnt down and property worth millions of Leones were destroyed.

He said the missing woman was later discovered helpless and unconscious in a bush, few kilometers from Malal.

ASP Samura said thirteen people have been arrested and are currently investigated at the Mile 91 Police division.