Liberian teen hailed hero after finding, returning $50,000

MONROVIA, Liberia — A teen successful Liberia has go a nationalist leader aft uncovering $50,000 connected the roadworthy and returning it to its rightful proprietor successful the northeastern Nimba County.

Eighteen-year-old Emmanuel Tuloe told The Associated Press Thursday that helium was driving his motorcycle taxi connected a road erstwhile helium saw a clump of wealth wrapped successful a integrative container that had dropped unnoticed.

When helium saw the wealth connected Tuesday, helium said “I was acrophobic due to the fact that it was plenty; and truthful I brought it location and gave it to my aunty to support until the proprietor could inquire for it.”

That day, Musu Yancy, the businesswoman who had mislaid the money, went connected the vigor “crying for her wealth and appealing to anyone uncovering it,” helium said. So helium took it to her.

Tuloe said that portion galore Liberians are praising his actions, others including immoderate friends, are mocking him for doing what is antithetic successful the post-war country.

He had dropped retired of schoolhouse successful the seventh people to statesman a taxi work with his motorcycle to marque money, helium said.

“Since my decision, erstwhile I person a breakdown connected the road and immoderate of my rider friends spot me, they don’t help; they accidental I acted anserine to find and instrumentality money. I should fto the wealth assistance me,” helium told the AP from his hometown of Gbolor Dialla connected the borderline with Ivory Coast.

“They archer maine I volition ne'er get affluent successful my lifetime; they accidental due to the fact that I returned specified an magnitude of wealth I volition unrecorded and dice poor.”

He said he’s besides received threats for his actions.

“I request to support myself,” helium said.

But helium stands steadfast successful his honorable actions, advising others to instrumentality money, cellphones oregon different items they whitethorn find.

“If the proprietor asks, they should instrumentality it due to the fact that we don’t cognize the future,” helium said.

Yancy rewarded the lad with currency and materials valuing astir $1,500, helium said.

We had a large solemnisation together, helium added.

When the euphoria has gone away, helium volition stock the reward with immoderate of those who were traveling with him.

“But the mattress I got volition beryllium fixed to my grandma,” helium said firmly.

The Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission says it is “deeply touched by the sincerity of the teenager.”

Liberia’s 14-year back-to-back civilian wars started successful this portion successful 1989.

Nimba County is the largest of Liberia’s 15 counties successful presumption of onshore country and the 2nd astir populated aft the Monrovia area.