20-Yrs-Old Sierra Leonean Trafficking Victim Repatriated

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce through the Ministry of Labour has repatriated a 20-years old female Sierra Leonean, a victim of human trafficking back home. Speaking during a brief ceremony held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the Ministry of Labour, the Chairman of the Taskforce, Labour Minister, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah Sr., said the girl was trafficked to Liberia at age 11, by her own father who has been arrested, charged and sentenced and is currently serving his sentence at the Monrovia Central Prison. He said, in keeping with protocol, it is important to repatriate the young female who has been accompanied by a team from the Taskforce alongside her uncle back home. He noted that the Taskforce counterpart in Freetown will receive her and turn her over to the family. Minister Kruah expressed the Government of Liberia commitment to fight against Trafficking in Persons noting that because of its seriousness, Government has laws against this menace and will make sure that they are enforced. He said currently there are two cases of trafficking on the docket for this term of court and will make sure that they are heard. Minister Kruah expressed gratitude to the Uncle of the victim who has been taking care of her in Liberia describing as very helpful to her stay in Liberia. He also hailed the Sierra Leonean Embassy for being very responsive and realizing that Liberia was not responsible, but did what was required of a responsible government. The Victim, Madam Facia Kaifa who could not hold back her tears thanked the Government of Liberia and people for the accommodation and protection provided her in the Country. Also speaking during the ceremony, Mohammed A. S. Wai, Community Liaison Officer at the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Liberia, extended a special thanks to the Government of Liberia through the Taskforce for the level of professional coordination in steering the affairs of the Country.  He said his Embassy has witnessed several cases where the Liberian Government has applied efforts in ensuring that the requisite services are provided to their citizens.

He praised the government on behalf of his Ambassador and promised to make sure that bilateral relations between the two countries are enhanced. “I remember some years at the Ministry of Justice, when Faciah was much smaller, I met with her. So for the government of Liberia to have taking care of her is a clear manifestation on how generous the Government of Liberia is”. In brief remarks, Bobor Allie, uncle of the victim thanked the Liberian Government for the care provided to his niece and opportunity provided to him to accompany her back home. Meanwhile, the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce is expected to have its regular Taskforce meeting at the Ministry of Labour. The meeting which was chaired by Deputy Labour Minister for Planning and Manpower Development, Steven S. Kolubah, was attended by members of the Taskforce, Civil Society Organizations, local and international partners and the U. S. Embassy.