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Nine Sierra Leonean nationals, including three children, were rescued by the Sierra Leone High Commission in The Gambia after allegedly being abandoned in Banjul by a suspected human trafficker who promised them passage to Europe.
The group, consisting of four women, two men, and three children, endured seven nights sleeping on market stalls with no food or shelter before the High Commission intervened.
The victims reported they were lured from Freetown by an individual identified as Alhaji Kamara, a resident of Sierra Leone’s capital. Each person allegedly paid over Le10,000 to Kamara with the understanding they were securing legitimate travel to Europe for better opportunities. Instead, they were transported by road to Banjul and abandoned at Banjul Park on May 15, 2025.
Upon learning of their plight, the Sierra Leone High Commission, led by the High Commissioner and Head of Chancery Madam Kadija E. Alpha, swiftly provided urgent humanitarian support.
The mission conducted interviews, offered immediate food and temporary accommodation, and began the process of contacting the victims’ families in Freetown. Investigations revealed that many of the victims had left Sierra Leone without their relatives’ knowledge or consent, underscoring the deceptive nature of the scheme.
The High Commission is now coordinating the safe and dignified repatriation of the victims and is working to ensure their proper reintegration into their communities.
The mission has also called for a comprehensive investigation into Alhaji Kamara’s actions and urged authorities to strengthen anti-trafficking measures to prevent similar incidents.
