By Tokpa Tarnue, tarnue82@gmail.com
VOINJAMA, Liberia- A 42-year-old Sierra Leonean Woman identified as Mariamu Fomba was on November 27, 2021 arrested in Foya, northwestern Lofa County for allegedly attempting to sell a boy, age 16, identified as Moses Saah.
The Sierra Leonean woman, who is from the Kissi ethnic group, was arrested in Kornosu town, Tengia clan, Foya district while negotiating to sell the child for $30,000 (Thirty Thousand Liberian Dollars).
Suspect Mariamu told police investigators that she had cross from Sierra Leone to Liberia and sell the 16 years old child to enable her pay back money she borrowed from a Susu club in the tune of forty million Leone which is about eighty thousand Liberian Dollars.
She said the child is a grandson who is very stubborn and has since refused to focus on his schooling.
The 16 years old boy however denied being a grandson to the suspect and told police that he has no relationship with the 42 years old suspect.
According to the Lofa County Police Commander, assistant commissioner Clement Barlett, they have already gotten in touch with the biological parents of the child based on the information provided during their investigation.
The16-year-old child said his mother is one Musu Kendor and his father is identified as Tengbeh Malin who both he said are Sierra Leoneans, particularly from Buyeadu town.
The county police commander indicated that plans are underway to reunite the child with his parents, while the 42-year-old suspect will also be turned over to Sierra Leone authorities for further actions.