NAPTIP has foiled a human trafficking attempt in Taraba, arresting a suspect and rescuing 10 minors during an intelligence-led operation in Jalingo.
The Taraba State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully disrupted a suspected human trafficking operation in Jalingo, arresting a suspected trafficker and rescuing ten minors who were allegedly being prepared for illegal transportation out of the state.
The operation, which took place on Friday, January 30, 2026, was the outcome of credible intelligence received by the agency, underscoring the growing role of surveillance and community cooperation in combating child trafficking across Nigeria.
The suspect was apprehended at Kurmi Park, a popular transit point in Jalingo, at about 11:00 a.m., before the suspected movement of the children could be executed.
Speaking on the development in a statement issued to journalists over the weekend, the Taraba State NAPTIP Commandant, Mr Bako Amos, confirmed that the arrest was carried out through a coordinated effort involving the agency and the Special Adviser to the Taraba State Governor on Human Trafficking, Mrs Sarah Ishaya.
He noted that the collaboration was crucial in ensuring the swift interception of the suspect and the safe recovery of the children.
According to Amos, preliminary findings indicate that the suspect was in the final stages of arranging the movement of the minors to an undisclosed destination, raising concerns about the potential risks the children could have faced if the operation had not been halted in time.
He stressed that the timely intervention prevented what could have escalated into a full-scale human trafficking case with far-reaching consequences.
“The suspect was intercepted while making preparations to traffic the ten children to an unknown location. Acting on actionable intelligence, our officers moved in quickly to forestall the crime,” Amos said.
He further disclosed that the rescued minors, whose ages were not immediately disclosed, are currently under protective custody and receiving care in line with NAPTIP’s child protection protocols.
The suspect, he added, remains in custody as investigations continue to unravel the network behind the attempted trafficking.
The commandant explained that investigations are focused on determining whether the suspect acted alone or as part of a wider trafficking syndicate, a growing concern for law enforcement agencies tackling child trafficking in the region.
He noted that traffickers often exploit poverty, ignorance, and false promises of education or employment to lure victims and their families.
Amos reiterated NAPTIP’s commitment to intensifying efforts against human trafficking, particularly involving minors, describing the crime as a gross violation of human rights and a serious threat to national security and social stability.
He warned individuals involved in trafficking activities to desist, stating that the agency would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to identify and dismantle trafficking routes across Taraba State.
The involvement of Kurmi Park in the incident has once again drawn attention to motor parks and transit hubs as critical points used by traffickers to move victims across state and national borders.
Security experts have repeatedly called for increased monitoring of such locations to curb illegal movements and protect vulnerable groups.
Mrs Sarah Ishaya, the governor’s special adviser on human trafficking, also commended the operation, describing it as a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when government agencies work together.
She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements involving children, emphasizing that community intelligence remains a vital weapon in the fight against trafficking.
She added that the Taraba State Government remains committed to supporting NAPTIP through policy initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and victim rehabilitation programmes aimed at discouraging trafficking and reintegrating rescued victims into society.
Observers say the latest Jalingo rescue highlights the persistent challenge of trafficking in Nigeria, despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger preventive measures, including education, economic empowerment, and stricter punishment for offenders, to address the root causes of the crime.
As investigations continue, NAPTIP has assured the public that all those found culpable in the attempted human trafficking operation will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The agency also appealed to parents and guardians to exercise caution when entrusting children to individuals promising opportunities outside their communities.
The rescue of the ten minors stands as another reminder of the importance of sustained vigilance, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration in protecting Nigeria’s children from the dangers of trafficking.
Ireport247news
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