The Nasarawa State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against human trafficking with the rescue of 17 suspected victims in Karu Local Government Area of the State.
The rescue occurred on January 17, 2026, at about 5:50 p.m., when patrol officers attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division were on routine stop-and-search duty at Sharp Corner, Karu.
During the operation, the officers intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number SHD 253 YU, which immediately raised suspicion.
The vehicle was driven by Nanle John, a 36-year-old man, and was conveying 17 young passengers consisting of 11 boys and six girls? aged between 10 and 19 years.
In a statement by Ramhan Nansel, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nasarawa State Police Command, made available to Journalists on Sunday in Lafia, said the Police investigations revealed that the occupants were travelling from Shendam in Plateau State to Kayama in Kwara State under circumstances suspected to be linked to human trafficking.
Read also: Police arrest 39-year old man for human trafficking in Adamawa
According to the Police, the victims claimed they were lured by a man identified as Umaru, whose surname is yet unknown, who allegedly promised them farming jobs in Kayama town.
The Police noted that efforts to reach the parents or guardians of the victims, as well as the said Umaru, were unsuccessful, as all the phone numbers provided were unreachable.
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).
Nansel said Shetima Jauro Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police ordered that the victims be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia to ensure their safety.
“The young persons are now under protective care while a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding this incident.
“The Command remains fully committed to protecting vulnerable persons and dismantling all human trafficking networks,” while urging members of the public to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest police station”, the statement added.
