February 16, 2025… The National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has reunited three internally trafficked children with their parents in rural Liberia.
The victims little Sarah Blakey, Josephine Bindah, and Bendu Sumo, were trafficked from Gokpalah Town, Bong County to Monrovia.
The minors were allegedly taken to Monrovia under false promises of education and better opportunities by family members of their parents.
The defendants named in the case are Kaddie Kaba and Victor Sumo, who were accused of removing the children from their community and exposing them to hardship and exploitation in the city of Monrovia.
Following intervention and investigation, the three victims were rescued and safely reunited with their families in Gokpalah Town on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Their return marks a significant step in restoring their safety, stability, and emotional well-being after period of trauma they experienced.
The reunification stands as the central outcome of the case, highlighting efforts by the National Anti-Human Trafficking of Liberia through the Ministry of Labour and partners to rescue, protect children or victims and reconnect them with their families. Each of the victim were provided food and non-food items, including rice, oil, and mattresses, among others.
Speaking during the reunification of the children, a staff of IOM, Mr. Tamba Safia said internal human trafficking is commonly practiced in Liberia as a means of exploitation and deception of children by family members, relatives and friends of their parents.
He said on many occasions, children from rural communities are brought to big cities and towns with the promise of bringing them for education and better living conditions, but end up in the streets as breadwinners for those who brought them.
In “Some cases, the children are made to engage in dangerous ventures like street selling between moving cars to support their guardian and family while their children are in school. Therefore, we want to warn you to be mindful as to who you give your children to take to Monrovia or anywhere to stay with them, if not, they may end up being breadwinners or working as salves for their children.”
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