The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU) of the Liberia National Police has arrested a Sierra Leonean national identified as Arina Dauda, who allegedly attempted to sell his fiancé.
On May 24, 2023, suspect Arina Dauda, a resident of Movanga, Moyamba District in Sierra Leone, was arrested by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU) of the LNP at the Bo-water, Grand Cape Mount County, while attempting to sell (find a buyer) for his 47-year-old girlfriend, Issatu Passive, a resident of Disen Town, Moyamba District in Sierra Leone.
During the police preliminary investigation at the LNP Headquarters, it was established that suspect Arina Dauda knowingly and purposely brought the alleged victim from Sierra Leone to Liberia for sale.
The investigation revealed that there was a prior discussion amongst suspect Dauda, witnesses Boikai Jabbie, and Abas Sesay on May 24, 2023, at the Bo-Water over the sale of victim Issatu Passive, thus leading to his arrest.
It was further established that suspect Dauda deceived his fiancee into thinking they were coming to Liberia to meet some of his family members, but his plan was to cross over to Liberia and have her sold for US$27,848.00 (5.50 million Leones).
The investigation also established that the victim is a widow with four children who met the alleged suspect a little over seven (7) months prior to the commission of the crime.
In view of the circumstances coupled with suspect Dauda’s admittance to the allegation levied against him and the facts gathered, the investigation has resolved to charge suspect Arina Dauda with the crime “Criminal Attempt/Trafficking in Persons,” which is in violation of Section 10.2 and Section 3 paragraphs A and B of the revised penal code and the new Trafficking in Persons Act of Liberia.
Meanwhile, due to the diplomatic tie between Sierra Leone and Liberia, the alleged suspect and victim have been turned over to the Sierra Leonean government through the Embassy near Monrovia to be extradited to Sierra Leone for prosecution.
