A Liberian citizen is appealing for help after being allegedly duped and stranded in Sierra Leone by a friend he once rescued.

The victim, whose name has been withheld, shared his ordeal with a local resident, Alie Iniesta Kargbo, who is now calling on the public for assistance.

According to the victim, he met his friend, Victor, in Liberia three years ago under dire circumstances. He took the man in, provided for him, and eventually introduced him to his family. Motivated by stories of Sierra Leonean hospitality, the Liberian agreed to visit Victor’s family in Sierra Leone, covering all the expenses for the trip.

Upon arriving in Lumley, the victim entrusted his belongings, including his passport, to Victor while he used a restroom. When he returned, Victor had vanished, taking all his possessions with him. The man has been struggling to survive on the streets for eleven days, facing rejection and disbelief from those he has approached for help.

He said, “I was in Liberia with a Sierra Leonean friend named Victor. I met Victor in Liberia in a dire situation where he needed help. He told me he was doing medi cure, which is also my profession, so I decided to let him stay with me. I brought him home, introduced him to my family, and explained his situation. They accepted him because of his circumstances.

“We lived together for three years as a family, along with other Sierra Leoneans in Liberia. Hearing about how friendly Sierra Leoneans are to strangers made me want to experience this firsthand.

“One day, Victor suggested we travel to Sierra Leone so I could meet his family. I was excited because it fulfilled my dream of visiting Sierra Leone. I covered all the expenses for both of us, including those at the border.

“When we reached Lumley, I had stomach pain and needed to use the restroom. Victor, being familiar with the area, directed me to a place where you have to pay to use the restroom. Before going, I gave him all my belongings to hold, including my passport and other important documents.

“Unfortunately, the friend I helped and rescued in Liberia betrayed me. When I returned from the restroom, he was gone with all my belongings. I’ve been stranded in Lumley and Aberdeen for eleven days, trying to find help, but no one has listened to my story. They assume I am just another street person whose life has gone wrong.

“I’ve been struggling and all I want now is to return to Liberia and reunite with my family to start anew. I need help from Sierra Leoneans to get back to Liberia. If you can provide transport and cover the costs, I would be grateful. I can find Liberians in either Bo Town or Kenema Town to help me reach home.”

Desperate to return to Liberia and reunite with his family, the victim is seeking financial assistance and transportation to reach the border. Alie Iniesta Kargbo described the man’s condition as dire, urging the public to come to his aid.