In a major crackdown on human trafficking, Sierra Leone authorities have repatriated 38 Guinean nationals who were part of a sinister plot to traffic Sierra Leoneans abroad under false pretenses.
The suspects, arrested in Bo Town, were recruiting individuals for a fraudulent scheme that promised fake job opportunities abroad. Investigations revealed a link to the notorious QNet scheme, a global scam that has ensnared countless victims.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), human trafficking is a rampant issue in West Africa, with children accounting for over 75% of detected victims. The region detects more trafficking victims than other Sub-Saharan African nations, with forced labor being the primary form of exploitation.
The Sierra Leone Police’s swift action has sent a strong message against human trafficking, and the repatriation of the 38 Guineans serves as a warning to those involved in such nefarious activities.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Brima Kanneh confirmed the repatriation during a press conference on August 19, 2024, in Freetown. The suspects were handed over to the Guinean authorities in Bo before being repatriated.
The police have been working to bring the perpetrators to justice and have been receiving complaints from different nationalities, including Guineans and Ivorians, regarding the issue of QNet.
