Police rescue 17 suspected human trafficking victims in Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 suspected victims of human trafficking in the state.

The spokesperson of the command, Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, January 18, 2026. 

According to the statement, on January 17, 2026, at about 5:50 pm, patrol officers attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division, while on stop-and-search duty at Sharp Corner in Karu Local Government Area, intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number SHD 253 YU.

The vehicle was driven by one Nanle John, a 36-year-old male, and had 17 passengers on board, comprising 11 boys and six girls, all aged between 10 and 19 years.

“Upon interrogation, the occupants were suspected to be victims of human trafficking. Further investigation revealed that both the driver and the passengers stated that they were travelling from Shendam, Plateau State, to Kayama in Kwara State to meet one Umaru (surname unknown), who allegedly lured them with promises of securing farming jobs in Kayama,” the statement said.

Nansel added that efforts to contact the parents or guardians of the victims, as well as the said Umaru, proved abortive, as all phone numbers provided were unreachable.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered that the young persons be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, and directed a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and apprehend all persons connected to the suspected human trafficking network,” he said.

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).

He said the Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and eradicating human trafficking in Nasarawa State.

The CP also urged members of the public to report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.