The man identified as Isaac Coleman, is said to be a ‘Pastor’ of Holy Spirit of International Church, and assigned in Kakata, Margibi County.
Police in the county reported the arrest of Pastor G. Israel Coleman of the House of Holy Spirit International Church, Kakata Branch, for his alleged role in a human trafficking scheme.
The scheme, according to the report, left several Liberian youths stranded in Nigeria under the false promise of relocation to Australia and Canada.
The case was brought to light on Monday, February 17, 2025, when J. Emmanuel Duanah, filed a complaint with police in Kakata. Duanah accused Pastor Coleman and a woman known only as “Jacqueline” believed to be Lovette Jackson of deceiving him and another guardian, Hawa Dunor, into allowing their children to travel abroad for “legitimate opportunities.”
According to Duanah, Jacqueline claimed she could assist with relocating children to Australia and Canada, naming Musu Sheriff, Daniel Kollie, Hanna Duanah, and William Vesselee, as some of the intended beneficiaries.
Pastor Coleman was allegedly in charge of arranging travel documents and transportation, including flights and bus tickets.
Testimonies from victims described a troubling pattern of exploitation. Daniel Kollie was the first to leave Liberia on February 20, 2025, after his documents were processed and US$2,000 was reportedly paid to Jacqueline. Hanna Duanah followed on April 14, 2025, after a US$1,700 payment.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the alleged human trafficking victim Hanna, said she recognized Jacqueline, but was stunned when Jacqueline denied knowing her. After she realized of being deceived, Hanna said she contacted her family, triggering further investigation.
Musu Sheriff, who traveled on November 23, 2024, said her passport and phone were confiscated in Nigeria. She was detained in a house with other victims and reportedly coached by two men, identified only as Patrick and Abu, to lie to her family during phone calls.
Another victim, William Vesselee, alleged that his mother paid US$5,500 along with other expenses before traveling on April 28, 2025.
He later alerted his mother that they were in danger and often pursued by Nigerian authorities.
In one instance, Musu Sheriff recounted a failed visa attempt at the Lagos airport that led to a raid by Nigerian immigration officers.
Jacqueline reportedly escaped by jumping over a fence. Under mounting pressure, she refunded portions of the money to some victims, allowing a few, including Hanna Duanah to return to Liberia on April 29, 2025.
Upon her return, Hanna confirmed she and her father were deceived by Jacqueline and ‘Pastor’ Coleman. Daniel Kollie also said he was directed by Jacqueline to another individual named “Elizabeth” to process his documents.
Vesselee told investigators he paid over US$6,000 in total, believing he was en route to Canada, but ended up stranded in Nigeria like the others.
When contacted from behind the police holding cells in Kakata, ‘Pastor’ Coleman admitted to processing documents for the victims, but claimed that he, too, was ‘deceived’ by his wife Lovette Jackson to believe that she resided in Australia.
However, police authorities are continuing their investigation and actively searching for Jacqueline, who remains at large. Police are calling on anyone with additional information to come forward.
Source: Yawah Y. Jaivey/FPA