In a decisive operation, the Nasarawa State Police Command has successfully rescued seventeen young individuals suspected of being victims of a human trafficking syndicate. The rescue highlights ongoing concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable youths within the region.
Interception at Sharp Corner
According to a statement released by the command's spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the operation unfolded the previous day. On January 17, 2026, at about 5:50 pm, police officers from the Mararaba ‘A’ Division, conducting a routine stop-and-search duty, intercepted a suspicious vehicle at Sharp Corner in the Karu Local Government Area.
The vehicle, a white Volkswagen Sharon with registration number SHD 253 YU, was being driven by a 36-year-old man identified as Nanle John. Upon inspection, the officers discovered it was carrying seventeen passengers, all of whom were minors and teenagers.
Victims and Deceptive Promises
The rescued individuals comprised eleven boys and six girls, with ages ranging from 10 to 19 years. Initial interrogation raised immediate red flags, leading police to suspect they were potential victims of human trafficking.
Further investigation revealed a disturbing pattern. Both the driver and the passengers gave a consistent account: they were all traveling from Shendam in Plateau State to Kayama in Kwara State. Their destination was a man known only as Umaru, whose surname remains unknown. This individual had allegedly lured the group with promises of securing farming jobs for them in Kayama.
Efforts by the police to make contact with the parents or guardians of the children, as well as the said Umaru, hit a dead end. All phone numbers provided were unreachable, deepening suspicions about the nature of the journey.
Protective Custody and Investigation
In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, took immediate action. He ordered that all seventeen young persons be placed into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia.
CP Mohammed also directed the commencement of a thorough investigation to unravel the full circumstances of the incident. The primary goal is to apprehend every individual connected to the suspected human trafficking network that orchestrated this operation.
The police have released the names of all rescued victims:
- 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)
- Ladi Dinfa (12)
Through the spokesperson, the Commissioner reaffirmed the command's unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and eradicating the scourge of human trafficking in Nasarawa State. He also issued a strong appeal to the public, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station promptly.
