The Imam of Jamburr village has explained how a group of strangely dressed men ransacked his compound on the orders of former President Yahya Jammeh in 2009 after he was accused of planning “evil acts” against Jammeh’s regime.

Imam Omar Bojang told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission on Monday that a group of men in red clothing with mirrors, cowries and horns entered his house while he was serving lunch to his guests.

“They ransacked my house as they said they were looking for something. They accused me of planning evil acts against Jammeh’s regime.”

Imam Bojang said he was arrested along with his guests, who were at his house to pay condolences on the death of his late mother, and taken away.

He said he was framed by the alkalo who alleged that he had brought people from Cassamance to plot evil against the former president.

The 58-year-old witness told the Commission that the so-called witch hunters dug a hole in the village cemetery and slaughtered a red cock and red goat and poured the blood in the hole.

He said after the sacrificial slaughtering the witch hunters told them that “If anyone wants to betray Yahya Jammeh you will be cursed.”

Imam Bojang said they were taken away and forced to drink concoction from the so-called witch hunters.

He said he was victimised because he didn’t support former president Yahya Jammeh.

“I am not a politician. I am a farmer but I never supported Yahya Jammeh. I believe because I didn’t support him (that’s why) the green boys beat me because at that time anybody who didn’t support Yahya Jammeh you are in trouble,” he added.

In 2009, former President Yahya Jammeh launched a nationwide witch hunt after the mysterious death of his aunt and two of his close protection officials.

Jammeh blamed witchcraft for the unexplained deaths and rounded up alleged “witches” from vulnerable communities and government offices. Many were forced to drink concoction by a witch hunt swat team led by marabouts from Guinea Conakry.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba