Nasarawa Police disrupt a suspected human trafficking operation, rescuing 17 minors intercepted while being transported across states under false job promises.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on human trafficking with the successful rescue of 17 children and teenagers believed to have been victims of an organised trafficking attempt in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The rescue operation, which took place on January 17, 2026, was carried out by officers of the Mararaba ‘A’ Division during a routine stop-and-search exercise at the Sharp Corner axis of Mararaba.
What initially appeared to be a regular interstate journey soon raised red flags for the patrol team, leading to the interception of a white Volkswagen Sharon bus conveying unusually young passengers.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, the vehicle was stopped at about 5:50 p.m. and found to be carrying 17 passengers—11 boys and six girls—whose ages ranged between 10 and 19 years.
The bus was being driven by a 36-year-old man identified as Nanle John.
Preliminary questioning of the occupants immediately drew the attention of the officers due to inconsistencies in their explanations and their apparent vulnerability.
Further interrogation revealed that the passengers were travelling from Shendam in Plateau State to Kayama in Kwara State.
The minors disclosed that they had been promised farming jobs by a man known simply as Umaru, whose full identity and location remain unknown.
Police investigators noted that the promises of employment, coupled with the ages of the passengers and lack of parental accompaniment, strongly suggested a case of human trafficking rather than legitimate labour migration.
Efforts by the police to verify the claims made by the driver and the passengers proved unsuccessful.
Phone numbers provided for the alleged recruiter, Umaru, as well as those said to belong to parents or guardians of the victims, could not be reached.
This development further strengthened suspicions that the journey was part of a coordinated trafficking arrangement designed to exploit vulnerable children and adolescents.
The rescued individuals were identified 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).
SP Nansel described the operation as a major breakthrough in the command’s fight against child exploitation and cross-border crime.
He explained that many trafficking syndicates prey on families facing economic hardship, using false job offers to lure young people away from their communities.
Such schemes often expose victims to forced labour, abuse, and other forms of exploitation once they reach their destination.
In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered that all rescued victims be placed under protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia.
The move, according to police authorities, is intended to ensure the safety, welfare, and proper documentation of the children while investigations continue.
The commissioner also directed detectives to conduct an in-depth investigation to trace the alleged recruiter and identify any other individuals or networks connected to the suspected human trafficking operation.
He emphasized that the command would not relent until everyone involved in the crime is brought to justice.
Beyond the immediate rescue, the incident has once again highlighted the growing challenge of child trafficking and irregular migration across state lines.
Security experts note that traffickers often exploit porous internal borders and limited public awareness to move victims unnoticed.
The police, therefore, stress the importance of community vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious movements.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment, CP Mohammed stated that protecting children and other vulnerable persons remains a top priority.
He urged parents, guardians, transport operators, and community leaders to be more attentive and cautious, particularly when minors are involved in long-distance travel arrangements.
He also called on the public to support law enforcement agencies by providing credible information that can help dismantle trafficking rings.
As investigations continue, the Nasarawa State Police Command has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking, warning that anyone found complicit in such crimes will face the full weight of the law.
The command also pledged to strengthen inter-state collaboration to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure that rescued victims are reunited safely with their families.
Ireport247news
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