Musu Sheriff, who traveled on November 23, 2024, said her passport and phone were confiscated in Nigeria.
KAKATA—Police in Margibi County have arrested Pastor G. Israel Coleman of the House of Holy Spirit International Church, Kakata Branch, for his alleged role in a human trafficking scheme that left several Liberian youths stranded in Nigeria under the false promise of relocation to Australia and Canada.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey, [email protected]
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 what they believed were 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.
Victim Testimonies Reveal Pattern of Deception
Testimonies from victims describe a troubling pattern of exploitation. Daniel Kollie was the first to leave Liberia on February 20, 2025, after his documents were processed and $2,000 was reportedly paid to Jacqueline. Hanna Duanah followed on April 14, 2025, after a $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. Realizing she had been deceived, Hanna said she contacted her family, triggering further investigation.
For her part, 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 $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 disclosed he was directed by Jacqueline to another individual named “Elizabeth” to process his documents.
Vesselee told investigators he paid over $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 allegedly 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.
