Zokerseh B. Saye, Executive Director of the Liberia Anti-Trafficking, and Scam Victim Support Initiative, says, more than 52 Liberians are currently stranded in Nigeria.
Saye made the report amid a growing human trafficking, and transnational scam challenge affecting Liberians, and other nationals in the subregion.
At the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs regular press briefing on Thursday, September 3, in Monrovia, Saye said, Liberians have also reportedly become stranded in several other countries, including Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, and Cambodia, as a result of trafficking, and related fraudulent schemes.
He expressed concern over the increasing number of Liberians allegedly falling victim to trafficking networks.
Saye stressed the need for stronger cooperation among governments, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations to combat the problem.
Saye: “victims of trafficking must be treated with dignity, and provided with the necessary protection and support. Every victim deserves safety, care, and respect.”
He called for traffickers being held accountable for their actions.
Nigerian National ‘Trafficked’
Saye spoke of how his organization recently identified a Nigerian national, who was allegedly trafficked to Liberia under the false impression that he was being taken to Canada.
He said, the matter was subsequently communicated to the Nigerian Embassy in Monrovia, while officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) are currently investigating the case.
The disclosure, according to Saye, highlights the increasingly complex, and cross-border nature of trafficking operations, in which victims are sometimes moved between countries under false promises of employment, travel opportunities, education, or migration to Western countries.
He revealed how his team recently participated in the rescue of 22 Liberians from neighboring Sierra Leone, while 10 suspects were also brought back, and subsequently turned over to Liberia National Police for further investigation.
Saye said, the development demonstrates the importance of cross-border collaboration in identifying trafficking victims, disrupting trafficking networks, and bringing alleged perpetrators before the appropriate authorities.
Saye also provided figures relating to alleged trafficking activities involving Liberians, saying: “57 Liberians were identified as being part of an alleged trafficking network, while eight individuals have reportedly been imprisoned for 50 years.”
He did not provide additional details about the identities of those convicted, or the specific courts, and cases involved.
The latest revelations have renewed concerns about the vulnerability of Liberians to human trafficking, and scam-related activities, particularly those involving promises of overseas employment, and migration.
Saye called for increased public awareness, and urged Liberians to exercise caution when approached with seemingly attractive offers to travel, or work abroad.
The Liberia Anti-Trafficking, and Scam Victim Support Initiative, he said, remains committed to support victims, raise awareness, and work with relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
