With many families left traumatised by killings apparently linked to supposed magic rituals in Sierra Leone, BBC Africa Eye looks into those behind the trade in human body parts.
Warning: This article contains details some readers may find disturbing.
The mother of an 11-year-old boy murdered as part of a suspected black magic killing four years ago is devastated that no-one has yet been brought to justice for his death.
Today I'm in pain. They killed my child and now there is just silence, Sallay Kalokoh told BBC Africa Eye, explaining how her son Papayo was found with parts of his body removed, including his vital organs, eyes and one arm.
He had gone out to sell fish at the market and never came back.
His family searched for him for two weeks - and finally found his mutilated corpse at the bottom of a well.
We always tell our children to be careful. If you are selling, don't go to a corner or take gifts from strangers. It happens frequently in this country, Ms Kalokoh said.
This murder in my hometown of Makeni has haunted me as we often hear of reports of killings linked to black magic that are never followed up or properly investigated by the authorities.
In Papayo's case, the police did not confirm that it was a ritual killing - when a person is murdered so that their body parts can be used in supposed magic rituals by illicit providers, or juju practitioners.
Belief in witchcraft is deeply ingrained in Sierra Leone, even among many police officers, making it difficult for investigations to proceed.
BBC Africa Eye discovered two alleged juju practitioners who offered to procure body parts for ritual purposes, claiming they were part of larger networks.
One claimed to have connections to powerful clients across West Africa, showcasing a human skull as proof of his trade.
Efforts to gather solid evidence against such individuals are hampered by the extreme scarcity of forensic resources in Sierra Leone, where the lack of government funding makes certain investigations impossible.
Despite the risks, local healers like Sheku Tarawallie are attempting to distance themselves from these criminal acts, asserting that they are legitimate herbalists practicing traditional medicine.
The growth of these dark practices has left communities in fear, as many families continue to seek justice without resolution for these horrific acts.
As this investigation unfolds, the true scale of ritual killings remains uncertain, with warning signs that additional resources and public education on the matter are desperately needed to protect vulnerable populations.
