The appalling rate at which female genital mutilation (FGM) is escalating in Sierra Leone amongst other West African nations is getting worrisome day-to-day.
Surprisingly, many parents send their teenagers to various villages and small towns to spend their holidays which on the contrary is to get them involve in FGM.
Rugiatu Kanu is no exception to such circumstances. The teenager went missing after realizing that she was about to be initiated by ‘Soweis’ (Secret society heads) from her maternal lineage in October, 2018.
Upon noticing the sly act from the “Soweis”, the 19 year old Rugiatu escaped into thin air after she was captured and brought to local chiefs for her to handed over to the secret society heads.
Reports reaching this press can authoritatively confirm that both Rugiatu Kanu and her mother who was once heading a secret society bush on diverse dates have escaped.
The reason for Rugiatu’s mother escaped can be related to the high pressure she received from other “Soweis” to bring Rugiatu for her initiation session.
The said act which occurred in Mabureh mende village, Buya Romende Port Loko District in northern part of the country has been reported to the police as to the disappearance of both Rugiatu Kanu and her mother.
Sadly, Rugiatu Kanu was known to be more passionate about education and her future has been left undecided.
Since her disappearance, series of investigations had been mounted by the police as well as other family members rescue the teenage girl.
Series of posters of her face had been pasted in various police stations with an inscription of her missing.
