The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 young persons believed to be victims of human trafficking during a routine patrol in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
Police spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel, said the victims were found inside a commercial vehicle intercepted by officers attached to the Mararaba ‘A’ Division.
“The patrol team, while conducting a stop-and-search operation around Sharp Corner, Karu, stopped a white Volkswagen Sharon. On inspection, 17 passengers were found inside, most of them minors,” Nansel said.
He explained that preliminary questioning raised strong suspicion of trafficking.
“The occupants told the officers they were travelling from Plateau State to Kwara State after being promised farming jobs by an individual identified as Umaru. At the moment, the identity and location of this person remain unknown,” he added.
According to the police, the victims include 11 boys and six girls, aged between 10 and 19 years.
Nansel disclosed that all attempts to reach the parents or guardians of the children had so far been unsuccessful.
“On the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, the rescued persons have been taken into protective custody while a full investigation is ongoing to dismantle the network behind this operation,” he stated.
The Commissioner of Police, in the statement, assured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable persons.
“Human trafficking will not be tolerated in Nasarawa State. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station,” Mohammed said.
