Police Bust Suspected Trafficking Ring, Rescue 17 Children, Teenagers in Karu
The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 suspected victims of human trafficking following a routine stop-and-search operation in Karu Local Government Area of the State.
According to information gathered by Global Mirror News, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday December 18, in Lafia.
He said the rescue occurred on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at about 5:50 p.m., when patrol officers attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon vehicle at Sharp Corner.
The vehicle, bearing registration number SHD 253 YU, was driven by one Nanle John, a 36-year-old man. On board were 17 passengers—11 boys and six girls—aged between 10 and 19 years.
Police Officers became suspicious during interrogation, prompting further investigation which revealed that the occupants were allegedly being trafficked.
Preliminary findings indicated that the group was travelling from Shendam in Plateau State to Kayama in Kwara State, where they were expected to meet a man identified simply as Umaru, who reportedly lured them with promises of farming jobs.
SP Nansel disclosed that attempts to reach the parents or guardians of the victims, as well as the alleged recruiter, were unsuccessful, as all phone numbers provided were unreachable.
Following the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered that the rescued youths be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia.
He also directed a comprehensive investigation to uncover the full circumstances of the incident and apprehend all individuals linked to the suspected trafficking network.
The rescued persons 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).
The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and intensifying the fight against human trafficking in Nasarawa State.
He also urged members of the public to report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest Police Station.
