KAKATA, MARGIBI COUNTY – Police in Margibi County have arrested Pastor G. Israel Coleman of the House of Holy Spirit International Church, Kakata Branch, over his suspected involvement in a human trafficking operation that left several young Liberians stranded in Nigeria under false pretenses of relocation to Australia and Canada.
The case emerged on February 17, 2025, after J. Emmanuel Duanah filed a formal complaint in Kakata, accusing Pastor Coleman and a woman known as “Jacqueline,” believed to be Lovette Jackson, of orchestrating the scheme. According to Duanah, he and another guardian, Hawa Dunor, were misled into approving the overseas travel of their children, believing they were being offered legitimate opportunities abroad.
Duanah told investigators that Jacqueline promised to facilitate travel to Australia and Canada for children including Musu Sheriff, Daniel Kollie, Hanna Duanah, and William Vesselee. Pastor Coleman, he alleged, handled the paperwork and travel logistics, such as airline and bus tickets.
The accounts provided by victims reveal a disturbing pattern. Daniel Kollie departed Liberia on February 20, 2025, after reportedly paying $2,000. Hanna Duanah followed on April 14, 2025, having paid $1,700. Upon arrival in Nigeria, Hanna said she recognized Jacqueline, but was shocked when Jacqueline denied knowing her. Realizing she had been duped, she contacted her family, triggering deeper inquiries.
Another victim, Musu Sheriff, said she traveled on November 23, 2024, only to have her phone and passport seized in Nigeria. She claimed she was held in a house with other victims and coached by two men named Patrick and Abu to mislead her family during calls.
William Vesselee stated that his mother paid $5,500 and additional costs to secure his travel on April 28, 2025. He later informed his mother they were in danger and frequently pursued by Nigerian immigration authorities.
In one incident, Sheriff recounted a foiled visa attempt at Lagos airport that led to a raid. Jacqueline, she said, escaped by scaling a fence. Following pressure from distressed families, Jacqueline reportedly refunded part of the money, enabling victims like Hanna Duanah to return home on April 29, 2025.
Upon returning to Liberia, Hanna confirmed that both she and her father were misled by Jacqueline and Pastor Coleman. Kollie told police he had been referred to another person, “Elizabeth,” by Jacqueline for document processing.
Vesselee reported paying over $6,000 in total, convinced he was headed to Canada, only to end up stranded in Nigeria with others caught in the same trap.
Speaking from police custody, Pastor Coleman admitted to processing travel documents for the victims but claimed he was also deceived by his wife, Lovette Jackson, who he said presented herself as residing in Australia.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that efforts are underway to apprehend Jacqueline, who remains at large. Police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in the ongoing probe.
