Police Rescue 17 Human Trafficking Victims In Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 suspected human trafficking victims in Karu local government area.

The victims who comprise of 11 males and six females were between the ages of 10 and 19.

They were intercepted by the operatives of the command at Sharp Corner Area of Mararaba on January 17 while being conveyed from Plateau State to Kwara State.

According to the command’s public relations officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, the victims include 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 respectfully.

Nansel said the rescue of the victims was a significant breakthrough in the command’s efforts to combat human trafficking and other related crimes.

“On 17th January, 2026, at about 1750hrs, a team of patrol officers attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division, while on stop-and-search duty at Sharp Corner, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon motor vehicle with registration number SHD 253 YU.

“The vehicle was driven by one Nanle John (male), aged 36 years, and had seventeen (17) passengers on board, comprising eleven (11) boys and six (6) girls, all within the ages of 10 to 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 yet unknown), who allegedly lured and promised to secure them farming jobs in Kayama town.

“Efforts made to contact their parents/guardians and the said Umaru proved abortive, as all provided phone numbers were unreachable,” he explained.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed has ordered that the victims to be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, while directing for a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and apprehend all those connected to this suspected human trafficking network.

“The Commissioner of Police reaffirms the Command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and eradicating human trafficking in Nasarawa State. The CP also calls on members of the public to report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” he stated.