Monrovia, Liberia – Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah has described the significant gains made by the Ministry of Labour in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice in the ongoing fight against human trafficking, noting that during the past seven months, a number of people had been charged and convicted.
Speaking over the weekend at his office in Congo Town, Minister Kruah highlighted that human trafficking is an “inhumane act” committed against vulnerable individuals and that it is a serious criminal violation that the law vehemently rejects.
In one recent instance, he revealed, five women were detained at Red Light Market on suspicion of trying to traffic eleven children. He said security officers stopped the victims before they could be removed. Criminal Court “A” then prosecuted the suspects and sentenced them to 20 years in jail.
Another case involving Madam Esther Asuquoi, who was detained in Grand Gedeh County on suspicion of trafficking three Nigerian females, was also mentioned by Minister Kruah. He clarified that the suspect reportedly tricked the victims into becoming prostitutes by offering them jobs in a beauty shop, only to take them to a gold mine. He stated that after intelligence-led operations, she was taken into custody and brought before the court to face charges.
He added that a case involving 22 suspected traffickers who were detained after allegedly enticing 57 victims with the promise of “greener pastures” is still pending. He reported that instead, the victims were transported to Marshall in Margibi County, where they allegedly suffered abusive treatment, including having to pay more than US$100,000 for document processing. The suspects are being prosecuted in court right now.
As the Ministry bolsters enforcement and cooperation with security agencies, Minister Kruah cautioned that the government will keep stepping up its fight on human trafficking, emphasising that no criminal will be spared. We are committed to combating the crime of human trafficking. “We’re doing everything we can,” he declared.
The labour minister announced that the Ministry of Labour has initiated a statewide inspection exercise with the goal of enforcing labour laws and guaranteeing adequate documentation of foreign workers. He also urged foreign residents in Liberia to ensure full compliance with work permit restrictions.
