The Nasarawa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has rescued 17 children from suspected human traffickers in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The rescue was disclosed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, and obtained on Sunday in Lafia.
According to the statement, police operatives attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number SHD 253 YU at Sharp Corner during a stop-and-search operation at about 5:50pm on Saturday, January 17.
The vehicle, driven by one Nanle John, 36, was 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 from Shendam in Plateau State.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the children were allegedly being transported to Kayama in Kwara State to meet one Umaru, who reportedly promised to secure farming jobs for them.
Police said all attempts to reach the parents, guardians or the said Umaru failed, as phone numbers provided were unreachable.
The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, ordered that the children be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, and directed a full investigation to dismantle the suspected trafficking network.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and urged the public to report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
From Umar Muhammed, Lafia
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