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A controversy surrounding the livestream of a rescued 13-year-old girl has exposed longstanding divisions within Trinidad and Tobago's Hunters Search and Rescue movement, as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar defends one team leader while police, family members and other public figures raise concerns about the treatment of the child. At the centre of the dispute is Shamsudeen Ayube, whose team located the girl after she had reportedly been missing for 26 days. Although the rescue has been welcomed, the decision to broadcast footage identifying and questioning the minor has triggered widespread criticism. The controversy has since expanded beyond child protection to include allegations of discrimination, competing rescue operations and a years-long dispute over the Hunters Search and Rescue name. Mother Claims She Was Discouraged From Contacting Ayube In a video circulated by Ayube's team, the girl's mother expressed gratitude for the rescue and claimed that she had previously been discouraged from contacting his organisation. She alleged that someone associated with another search-and-rescue team told her not to approach Ayube's group. The mother said she had spent weeks searching for her daughter but began receiving results within approximately two and a half days of communicating with Ayube's team. Her account has raised questions about whether rivalry between volunteer organisations may have affected the assistance available to the family. However, the allegation that she was deliberately discouraged from contacting Ayube has not been independently established, and there is no verified evidence that another organisation intentionally obstructed the investigation. The Hunters Were Already Divided The dispute between the groups is not new. The Hunters Search and Rescue movement emerged in February 2021 following the search for kidnapped court clerk Andrea Bharatt, whose body was discovered in the Heights of Aripo. Among those involved in the early rescue movement were Anjit Ren Gopiesingh, associated with the Hard Grounds Hunters Search and Rescue Team, Vallence Rambharat and Ayube. Early reporting identified Rambharat as captain and Gopiesingh as a leading figure connected to the original organisation. However, disagreements eventually developed over leadership, ownership of the name and the direction of the movement. In June 2022, the Hard Grounds Hunters Search and Rescue Team, represented by attorney Gerald Ramdeen, issued a pre-action protocol letter challenging Rambharat's use of a similar name. The organisation claimed Rambharat had been expelled and accused his group of operating under a name that could cause confusion. Rambharat disputed aspects of the allegations and said at the time that he would respond after formally receiving the correspondence. By September 2024, investigative reporting had documented competing claims involving three figures: Gopiesingh, Rambharat and Ayube. The organisations had also developed separate structures. Company registration information cited in that reporting identified Hard Grounds Hunters Search and Rescue as registered in April 2021, Hunters Emergency Response Team in October 2022 and Sham Hunters Search and Rescue Team in September 2023. The origins and leadership of the movement remain contested, making it inaccurate to describe the entire organisation simply as having been taken over by one individual. Both Rival Leaders Received National Awards Despite the longstanding disagreements, both Ayube and Rambharat were recognised for their contributions to search-and-rescue work at the September 24, 2026 National Awards Ceremony. Each received the Hummingbird Medal Gold. The recognition acknowledged their separate contributions to helping families locate missing loved ones and assisting with rescue operations. Less than three weeks later, however, the latest controversy has again placed their competing organisations under public scrutiny. Ayube Claims Guyanese Background Fuels Criticism Ayube has also suggested that some of the criticism directed at him is connected to his Guyanese background. Supporters have similarly argued that his nationality is being used against him despite his record of assisting Trinidadian families. However, critics maintain that the central issue is not his nationality but the decision to publish identifying footage of a vulnerable child. There is no verified basis for concluding that the wider criticism is primarily motivated by nationality. The controversy now involves competing claims about discrimination, volunteer accountability and the proper treatment of missing children. Family Questions Public Exposure The child's aunt, who says she is her legal guardian, has questioned why the girl was publicly identified and interviewed. Speaking to the Trinidad Express, she expressed gratitude that her niece had been located but challenged the circumstances surrounding the recording and publication. The aunt stressed that her niece was a minor and questioned why the child had been exposed to public scrutiny. Ayube has maintained that the child's mother gave permission for the recording. However, the family's differing accounts have raised further questions about consent and whether publication was appropriate in circumstances potentially involving a police investigation. Police Demand Removal of Videos On October 10, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service issued a statement calling for the removal of videos identifying the child. The TTPS acknowledged the valuable role played by volunteer organisations in locating missing people but warned that exposing a child involved in an investigation could cause additional harm. Police explained that photographs of missing children are circulated to assist in finding them, not to justify their continued public exposure once they have been located. The Service also warned that publishing identifying information about a child involved in a police investigation could constitute a criminal offence. The matter is being investigated by the Special Victims Department, while the child is reportedly safe and receiving appropriate assistance, including support from the Children's Authority. Kamla Defends Ayube's Team Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly defended the Hunters Search and Rescue Team led by Ayube. Speaking with Guardian Media, she urged critics to recognise the work involved in locating missing people. She also drew attention to the circumstances in which the girl was reportedly discovered in the company of an adult man. However, the Prime Minister acknowledged that lessons should be learnt from the controversy and advised the organisation to avoid similar problems in the future. Her remarks have generated further debate about whether praise for a successful rescue can be separated from concerns about the methods used afterward. The Prime Minister's support does not override the legal protections available to children or the police investigation into the matter. Rambharat Defends His Organisation's Procedures Rambharat has also publicly addressed the controversy, rejecting suggestions that his organisation was responsible for criticism directed at Ayube. He has emphasised the importance of involving police when missing minors are located and following appropriate procedures when dealing with vulnerable individuals. His position has drawn renewed attention to the operational differences between organisations using similar Hunters Search and Rescue names. The dispute also raises questions about whether volunteer groups should follow common safeguarding standards when responding to missing-person reports. A Rescue Success Overshadowed by Controversy The latest incident highlights several connected issues. A missing child was successfully located after weeks of uncertainty, bringing relief to her family. However, the subsequent publication of identifying footage prompted legitimate child protection concerns raised by the police and the child's guardian. At the same time, allegations that the mother was discouraged from contacting one rescue organisation have revived public attention on an established rivalry. Questions also remain about Ayube's allegations of nationality-based criticism and how volunteer organisations manage public communications. There is no established evidence that the rivalry prevented the child from being located sooner, but the competing accounts warrant clarification. The central issue now extends beyond which group located the missing girl. It concerns how volunteer rescuers, regardless of their affiliations or previous achievements, should coordinate with families, police and child protection authorities. Both Ayube and Rambharat have received national recognition for helping citizens in difficult circumstances. As the police investigation continues, the controversy has highlighted the need for clearer procedures governing volunteer search operations, the handling of minors and the publication of sensitive information. The child remains entitled to privacy and protection, irrespective of the disagreements surrounding those involved in her rescue.
A controversy surrounding the livestream of a rescued 13-year-old girl has exposed longstanding divisions within Trinidad and Tobago’s Hunters Search and Rescue movement, as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar defends one team leader while police, family members and other public figures raise concerns about the treatment of the child.
At the centre of the dispute is Shamsudeen Ayube, whose team located the girl after she had reportedly been missing for 26 days.
Although the rescue has been welcomed, the decision to broadcast footage identifying and questioning the minor has triggered widespread criticism.
The controversy has since expanded beyond child protection to include allegations of discrimination, competing rescue operations and a years-long dispute over the Hunters Search and Rescue name.
Mother Claims She Was Discouraged From Contacting Ayube
In a video circulated by Ayube’s team, the girl’s mother expressed gratitude for the rescue and claimed that she had previously been discouraged from contacting his organisation.
She alleged that someone associated with another search-and-rescue team told her not to approach Ayube’s group.
The mother said she had spent weeks searching for her daughter but began receiving results within approximately two and a half days of communicating with Ayube’s team.
Her account has raised questions about whether rivalry between volunteer organisations may have affected the assistance available to the family.
However, the allegation that she was deliberately discouraged from contacting Ayube has not been independently established, and there is no verified evidence that another organisation intentionally obstructed the investigation.
The Hunters Were Already Divided
The dispute between the groups is not new.
The Hunters Search and Rescue movement emerged in February 2021 following the search for kidnapped court clerk Andrea Bharatt, whose body was discovered in the Heights of Aripo.
Among those involved in the early rescue movement were Anjit Ren Gopiesingh, associated with the Hard Grounds Hunters Search and Rescue Team, Vallence Rambharat and Ayube.
Early reporting identified Rambharat as captain and Gopiesingh as a leading figure connected to the original organisation.
However, disagreements eventually developed over leadership, ownership of the name and the direction of the movement.
In June 2022, the Hard Grounds Hunters Search and Rescue Team, represented by attorney Gerald Ramdeen, issued a pre-action protocol letter challenging Rambharat’s use of a similar name.
The organisation claimed Rambharat had been expelled and accused his group of operating under a name that could cause confusion.
Rambharat disputed aspects of the allegations and said at the time that he would respond after formally receiving the correspondence.
By September 2024, investigative reporting had documented competing claims involving three figures: Gopiesingh, Rambharat and Ayube.
The organisations had also developed separate structures.
Company registration information cited in that reporting identified Hard Grounds Hunters Search and Rescue as registered in April 2021, Hunters Emergency Response Team in October 2022 and Sham Hunters Search and Rescue Team in September 2023.
The origins and leadership of the movement remain contested, making it inaccurate to describe the entire organisation simply as having been taken over by one individual.
Both Rival Leaders Received National Awards
Despite the longstanding disagreements, both Ayube and Rambharat were recognised for their contributions to search-and-rescue work at the September 24, 2026 National Awards Ceremony.
Each received the Hummingbird Medal Gold.
The recognition acknowledged their separate contributions to helping families locate missing loved ones and assisting with rescue operations.
Less than three weeks later, however, the latest controversy has again placed their competing organisations under public scrutiny.
Ayube Claims Guyanese Background Fuels Criticism
Ayube has also suggested that some of the criticism directed at him is connected to his Guyanese background.
Supporters have similarly argued that his nationality is being used against him despite his record of assisting Trinidadian families.
However, critics maintain that the central issue is not his nationality but the decision to publish identifying footage of a vulnerable child.
There is no verified basis for concluding that the wider criticism is primarily motivated by nationality.
The controversy now involves competing claims about discrimination, volunteer accountability and the proper treatment of missing children.
Family Questions Public Exposure
The child’s aunt, who says she is her legal guardian, has questioned why the girl was publicly identified and interviewed.
Speaking to the Trinidad Express, she expressed gratitude that her niece had been located but challenged the circumstances surrounding the recording and publication.
The aunt stressed that her niece was a minor and questioned why the child had been exposed to public scrutiny.
Ayube has maintained that the child’s mother gave permission for the recording.
However, the family’s differing accounts have raised further questions about consent and whether publication was appropriate in circumstances potentially involving a police investigation.
Police Demand Removal of Videos
On October 10, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service issued a statement calling for the removal of videos identifying the child.
The TTPS acknowledged the valuable role played by volunteer organisations in locating missing people but warned that exposing a child involved in an investigation could cause additional harm.
Police explained that photographs of missing children are circulated to assist in finding them, not to justify their continued public exposure once they have been located.
The Service also warned that publishing identifying information about a child involved in a police investigation could constitute a criminal offence.
The matter is being investigated by the Special Victims Department, while the child is reportedly safe and receiving appropriate assistance, including support from the Children’s Authority.
Kamla Defends Ayube’s Team
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly defended the Hunters Search and Rescue Team led by Ayube.
Speaking with Guardian Media, she urged critics to recognise the work involved in locating missing people.
She also drew attention to the circumstances in which the girl was reportedly discovered in the company of an adult man.
However, the Prime Minister acknowledged that lessons should be learnt from the controversy and advised the organisation to avoid similar problems in the future.
Her remarks have generated further debate about whether praise for a successful rescue can be separated from concerns about the methods used afterward.
The Prime Minister’s support does not override the legal protections available to children or the police investigation into the matter.
Rambharat Defends His Organisation’s Procedures
Rambharat has also publicly addressed the controversy, rejecting suggestions that his organisation was responsible for criticism directed at Ayube.
He has emphasised the importance of involving police when missing minors are located and following appropriate procedures when dealing with vulnerable individuals.
His position has drawn renewed attention to the operational differences between organisations using similar Hunters Search and Rescue names.
The dispute also raises questions about whether volunteer groups should follow common safeguarding standards when responding to missing-person reports.
A Rescue Success Overshadowed by Controversy
The latest incident highlights several connected issues.
A missing child was successfully located after weeks of uncertainty, bringing relief to her family.
However, the subsequent publication of identifying footage prompted legitimate child protection concerns raised by the police and the child’s guardian.
At the same time, allegations that the mother was discouraged from contacting one rescue organisation have revived public attention on an established rivalry.
Questions also remain about Ayube’s allegations of nationality-based criticism and how volunteer organisations manage public communications.
There is no established evidence that the rivalry prevented the child from being located sooner, but the competing accounts warrant clarification.
The central issue now extends beyond which group located the missing girl.
It concerns how volunteer rescuers, regardless of their affiliations or previous achievements, should coordinate with families, police and child protection authorities.
Both Ayube and Rambharat have received national recognition for helping citizens in difficult circumstances.
As the police investigation continues, the controversy has highlighted the need for clearer procedures governing volunteer search operations, the handling of minors and the publication of sensitive information.
The child remains entitled to privacy and protection, irrespective of the disagreements surrounding those involved in her rescue.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
