The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 suspected human trafficking victims, comprising 11 boys and 6 girls, aged between 10 and 19 years.
SP Ramhan Nansel, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, stated that the victims were intercepted at Sharp Corner, Karu Local Government Area, while traveling in a Volkswagen Sharon vehicle from Shendam, Plateau State, to Kayama in Kwara State.
According to the police, the victims claimed they were going to meet one Umaru, who promised them farming jobs in Kayama town.
SP Nansel, however, said efforts to contact their parents and guardians and Umaru were unsuccessful.
“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.”
The command identified the victims 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.
SP Nansel said the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has ordered the victims to be taken into protective custody and directed a thorough investigation to apprehend those involved in the suspected human trafficking network.
