The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 suspected victims of human trafficking in Karu Local Government Area and commenced a full investigation to dismantle the network behind the operation.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the rescue took place at about 5:50 p.m. during a routine stop-and-search operation by patrol officers attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division at Sharp Corner, Karu LGA.
SP Nansel said the officers intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon bus with registration number SHD 253 YU, driven by Nanle John, a 36-year-old male, conveying 17 passengers made up of 11 boys and six girls, aged between 10 and 19 years.
“Upon interrogation, the occupants were suspected to be victims of human trafficking,” the police spokesperson stated. “Further investigation revealed that both the driver and the passengers claimed they were travelling from Shendam, Plateau State, to Kayama, Kwara State, to meet one Umaru (surname unknown), who allegedly promised to secure farming jobs for them.”
Police efforts to reach the parents or guardians of the young persons, as well as the said Umaru, were unsuccessful, as all phone numbers provided were unreachable.
Following the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered that the rescued minors and young persons be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, and directed a thorough investigation to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident and arrest all those involved.
“The Command remains committed to protecting vulnerable persons and eradicating human trafficking in Nasarawa State,” CP Mohammed said, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The rescued victims 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).
Investigations are ongoing.
