Nasarawa Police Rescue 17 Suspected Human Trafficking Victims
The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 suspected victims of human trafficking during a stop-and-search operation in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Lafia.
According to the statement, the rescue occurred on January 17, 2026, at about 5:50 p.m., when patrol officers attached to the Mararaba ‘A’ Division intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number SHD 253 YU at Sharp Corner in Karu.
The vehicle, driven by a 36-year-old man identified as Nanle John, had 17 passengers on board—11 boys and six girls—aged between 10 and 19 years.
Nansel said the occupants were suspected to be victims of human trafficking following preliminary interrogation.
“Further investigation revealed that both the driver and the passengers stated they were travelling from Shendam in Plateau State to Kayama in Kwara State to meet one Umaru, whose surname is unknown, who allegedly lured them with promises of securing farming jobs in the area,” the statement read.
Read Also:
He added that efforts to reach the parents or guardians of the victims, as well as the said Umaru, were unsuccessful, as all the phone numbers provided were unreachable.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered that the young persons be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia and directed a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and apprehend all individuals linked to the suspected trafficking network.
The police spokesman listed the rescued victims as: Nanpar Zwaltur (19), Monday Zinglak (14), Ramnap Selchum (18), Nankat Ayuba (18), Burnan Yilkur (19), Timnan Ponfa (19), Nantip Nanbut (19), Kumlyan Nanbut (17), Zwalkur Zingdap (15), Nanfar Zwalkur (11), Nanpar Nanbut (14), Nanchu Bwoi (13), Godiya Lagang (10), Yulbyen Zingdap (10), Nanna Chirvyok (12), Sholyen Rapkat (10) and Ladi Dinfa (12).
Nansel said the Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and eradicating human trafficking in the state.
He also urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
By PRNigeria
