A Liberian pastor has been arrested in connection with a growing human trafficking scandal that has left several Liberian youths stranded in Nigeria under false promises of relocation to Australia and Canada.
Pastor G. Israel Coleman of the House of Holy Spirit International Church, Kakata Branch, was taken into police custody following a formal complaint filed on February 17, 2025, by J. Emmanuel Duanah. The complaint alleges that Pastor Coleman, in collusion with a woman known only as “Jacqueline”, believed to be Lovette Jackson, orchestrated a deceptive scheme to send children abroad for purported opportunities that never materialized.
Web of Deception Unraveled
According to Duanah, Jacqueline approached him and another guardian, Hawa Dunor, claiming she had connections to relocate children overseas. The victims identified include Musu Sheriff, Daniel Kollie, Hanna Duanah, and William Vesselee. Pastor Coleman allegedly facilitated the process by arranging travel documents and transportation logistics, including bus and airline tickets.
Testimonies from the victims paint a grim picture of the ordeal.
Daniel Kollie, who departed Liberia on February 20, said his family paid $2,000 to Jacqueline for the relocation. Hanna Duanah left on April 14 after her family paid $1,700. Upon arrival in Nigeria, Hanna said she recognized Jacqueline, only to be shocked when the woman denied ever knowing her. Realizing something was wrong, Hanna quickly contacted her family, prompting further investigation.
Passports Confiscated, Victims Coached to Lie
Musu Sheriff, who traveled earlier on November 23, 2024, reported that her phone and passport were seized upon arrival. She was held in a house with other victims, where two men, identified only as Patrick and Abu, allegedly coached her to lie to her family during calls.
William Vesselee revealed that his mother paid a total of $5,500 before his trip on April 28. After arriving in Nigeria, he contacted his mother, warning that they were constantly being pursued by immigration authorities and feared for their safety.
In one dramatic account, Musu recounted a failed visa attempt at the Lagos airport which resulted in a raid by Nigerian immigration officers. Jacqueline reportedly fled the scene by jumping a fence. Under increasing scrutiny, she eventually refunded partial payments to some families, enabling a few victims, including Hanna, to return home on April 29.
Pastor Claims Innocence, Says He Was Deceived
Back in Liberia, Pastor Coleman now sits behind bars in Kakata. Speaking from police holding cells, he admitted to helping with documentation but insisted that he, too, was misled by Jacqueline, whom he identified as his wife, Lovette Jackson. According to Coleman, he believed she was residing in Australia and trusted her claims.
Yet, victims say otherwise. Hanna and her father maintain that both Jacqueline and Pastor Coleman played direct roles in the deception. Daniel Kollie also revealed that Jacqueline later connected him with another individual, “Elizabeth,” for document processing.
Vesselee told investigators he and his family paid over $6,000 in total, all in the hope of securing a new life in Canada. Instead, he and others found themselves stranded in Nigeria, living in fear and uncertainty.
Ongoing Investigation
As the case unfolds, authorities say they are actively pursuing leads to locate Jacqueline, who remains at large. Police have urged members of the public with relevant information to step forward.
The Liberian National Police have pledged to deepen the investigation, warning that anyone found complicit in the trafficking network will face the full weight of the law.
This latest development underscores the urgent need to address human trafficking networks preying on vulnerable families seeking better futures for their children.
Source: FPA
