Nasarawa police rescue 16 trafficked teenagers begin investigation

Police operatives in Nasarawa State Command has rescued no fewer than 16 trafficked teenagers, comprising eleven (11) boys and six (6) girls, all within the ages of 10 to 19 years in its sustained efforts to combat human trafficking and other related crimes.

Command’s spokesman SP Ramhan Nansel said in a statement on Sunday that 36-year-old driver of vehicle, Nanle John (male) was arrested on 17th January 2026 by stop-and-search duty officers at Sharp Corner, Karu Local Government Area of the State.

He revealed that a white Volkswagen Sharon motor vehicle marked SHD 253 YU was intercepted by the police which identified the trafficked teenagers as
Nanpar Zwaltur – M, (19), Monday Zinglak – M, (14), Ramnap Selchum – M (18),
Nankat Ayuba – M (18),
Burnan Yilkur – M (19,
Timnan Ponfa – M (19) and Nantip Nanbut – M, 19.

Other survivors of trafficking are: Kumlyan Nanbut – M (17), Zwalkur Zingdap – M (15), Nanfar Zwalkur – M (11), Nanpar Nanbut – M (14), Nanchu Bwoi – F (13), Godiya Lagang – F (10), Yulbyen Zingdap – F (10), Nanna Chirvyok – F (12), Sholyen Rapkat – F (10), and Ladi Dinfa – F (12).

The statement said further investigation revealed that both the driver and the passengers, claimed to be travelling alongside w occupants from Shendam, Plateau State, to Kayama in Kwara State upon interrogation by police authorities.

The duo informed police that they had plan 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.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed has ordered that the young persons be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, and directed a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and apprehend all those connected to this suspected human trafficking network”.