The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 children believed to be victims of human trafficking in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The children were intercepted by operatives attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division during a stop-and-search operation at Sharp Corner on Saturday evening.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Sunday in Lafia, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, described the rescue as a major breakthrough in the command’s fight against human trafficking and related crimes.
According to him, the police stopped a white Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number SHD 253 YU at about 5:50 pm.
“The vehicle was driven by one Nanle John, male, aged 36 years, and had 17 passengers on board, comprising 11 boys and six girls, all within the ages of 10 to 19 years,” Nansel said.
He explained that initial questioning raised suspicion that the children were being trafficked from Shendam in Plateau State.
“Upon interrogation, the occupants were suspected to be victims of human trafficking from Shendam, Plateau State,” the police spokesman added.
Nansel said further investigation revealed that the driver and the children were travelling to Kayama in Kwara State to meet an individual identified as Umaru.
According to the police, Umaru allegedly recruited the children with promises of securing farming jobs for them in Kayama.
“All efforts to contact their parents, guardians or the said Umaru proved abortive, as all phone numbers provided were unreachable,” Nansel stated.
He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Shetima Mohammed, had ordered that the children be taken into protective custody.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the children be taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for protective custody,” he said.
Nansel added that the police boss also ordered a full investigation into the matter to uncover those behind the suspected trafficking scheme.
“He has equally directed a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and to apprehend all persons connected to this suspected human trafficking network,” the statement said.
The rescued children were identified as Nanpar Zwaltur, Monday Zinglak, Ramnap Selchum, Nankat Ayuba, Burnan Yilkur, Timnan Ponfa, Nantip Nanbut, Kumlyan Nanbut, Zwalkur Zingdap, Nanfar Zwalkur, Nanpar Nanbut, Nanchu Bwoi, Godiya Lagang, Yulbyen Zingdap, Nanna Chirvyok, Sholyen Rapkat and Ladi Dinfa.
The police spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s resolve to protect vulnerable persons across the state.
“The command remains fully committed to protecting vulnerable persons and eradicating human trafficking in Nasarawa State,” Nansel said.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station for immediate action.
