FOMGBOE

Fomgboe (who lived in the mid and later 19th century), a Loko leader, was the ruler of Tembu, a town in Lower Loko country, to the northeast of Freetown. He acquired a following and became influential in Lower Loko affairs from the 1870s to 1894, when he was imprisoned by the British.

He appears to have been born of relatively insignificant parentage in Lower Loko country in the earlier half of the 19th century. As a young man he travelled to seek his fortune in Sierra Leone Colony, where he worked for some years as a groom in Freetown. On his return to his country, his Freetown experience and his own personal qualities of leadership gained him popularity. By the 1870s he had acquired a sizeable following, and had founded, or become ruler of, the thriving town of Tembu.

He became powerful enough to influence affairs in Lower Loko, then under the rule of Kiha of Gbendembu, but ultimately, if somewhat nominally, subject to Alimamy Samura of Bonko in Sanda (Upper Loko). By 1887 Fomgboe had gained further prominence as a result of the conflict between Karimu of Samaya and the Tonko Limba. Apparently assisting the Tonko Limb against Karimu, Fomgboe became seen by Karimu as one of his chief enemies. Karimu attacked Tembu, Fomboe’s town, without success. Fomgboe then became a leading figure in a coalition against Karimu which included Bai Bureh of Kasseh, Brima Sanda of Sanda Loko, and Bombo Lahai of Tonko Limba.

At the end of 1890, Fomgboe complained to the British colonial administration that he could not capture Karimu’s stronghold at Laminaya because Karimu was receiving aid. By 1891, however, the British had forced Karimu further north, out of Fomgboe’s reach.

The activities of Fomgboe in the Karimu affair apparently incurred the displeasure of his nominal overlord, Samura. Fomgboe had apparently passed through Samura’s territory to fight against Karimu, and had drawn Brima Sanda, who was subject to Samura, into the struggle. Samura consequently became hostile to Fomgboe. Details of the initial stage of the ensuing conflict are unknown. Fomboe took up arms against Samura, claiming that the Sanda Loko people under Samura’s leadership had “spoilt his country.” In the conflict he was not supported by Korba, ruler of Lower Loko, although he was joined by Bonney (Maaju Turay), the Mandinka ruler of Madina, and Dambia, another Lower Loko chief. Fomgboe also sought the help of Biriwa Limba, but without success.

Fomgboe and Bonney together attacked Sanda Loko in 1892, but were repelled. It is said that Dambia betrayed Fomgboe by informing the Sanda Loko of the impending attack. When Fomgboe’s forces fell back on Dambia’s town, supposing it to be friendly, Dambia’s people attacked them. Bonney was killed, and several captives taken. In practicing this deception, Dambia was remaining loyal to his overlord, Korba. The Sanda Loko, however, continued to believe that all Lower Loko was supporting Fomgboe. Korba therefore had to ask the governor of Sierra Leone to mediate with Samura in order to re-establish good relations with Samura.

Failing to get help from Lower Loko against the Sanda, Fomgboe then enlisted the support of two Temne leaders–Susa, a warrior, and Abdul Lahai Kaloko of Rokrifie, a chief. But by now Fomgboe was also opposed by the Lower Loko, who resented his disruption of their relationship with Samura. When Fomgboe’s combined forces attacked Tonkapa, a Loko town, they were beaten off with losses. These events occurred in about 1894, at the time when the British were establishing control over the Sierra Leone hinterland. The British offered a £20 reward for the capture of Fomgboe, and sent a detachment to destroy his headquarters at Tembu. They then pursued him into Sela Limba country, where he had set up new headquarters at Kamakuya.

The British then burnt Kamakuya, but Fomgboe escaped. He was finally captured in July 1894 in Tonko Limb as a result of information given by Bomboh Lahai. He was then imprisoned in Freetown, and was later deported to the Gambia. Nothing was heard of him thereafter.

C. MAGBAILY FYLE