Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lafia, Nigeria — In a significant breakthrough against child trafficking and exploitation, the Nasarawa State Police Command has dismantled a suspected criminal syndicate and rescued an eight-year-old boy who was allegedly sold for N3 million, authorities confirmed on Monday, January 19, 2026. The operation underscores growing concern over human trafficking networks operating across Nigeria, with security services under pressure to protect vulnerable children and dismantle organised crime rings that prey on families and communities.
Police said the breakthrough stemmed from actionable intelligence received on January 14, when information indicated that a missing child, later identified as Jeremiah Bikwo, was being held in protective custody by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Abia State Police Command. Jeremiah had reportedly told investigators that he was originally from Loko in the Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State, prompting detectives to extend their inquiries and investigate his disappearance in earnest.
Subsequent investigations confirmed that the child was an indigene of Ogobo Village, Loko LGA, and had been sold by members of a trafficking syndicate for N3 million. The revelation sparked a coordinated response by police in Nasarawa, with detectives mounting a targeted operation to trace the syndicate and secure Jeremiah’s release.
As part of the operation, state police arrested six suspects believed to be directly involved in the trafficking of the boy. Among those detained were Chilaka Calista Nneka (33), Chigbu Cynthia (36), Michael Ibeh Chioma (52), and Victoria Ositadinma (53) — all reported to be from Abia State — alongside Alhassan Bama (35) of Ogobo Village and Jacob Jonah (38) of Olegefe Village, also in Loko LGA.
Police sources said that all suspects have confessed to their roles in the child trafficking ring, shedding light on a disturbing network that allegedly profited from the sale and exploitation of a minor. “The suspects are currently in custody, while further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate,” one source told journalists, indicating that the probe is far from over as detectives work to unravel the full scope of the operation.
The rescue of Jeremiah and the arrests in Nasarawa come amid a broader security effort by the police to combat human trafficking and protect minors. In a related development, the Nasarawa State Police Command recently intercepted a vehicle around the Sharp Corner axis of Mararaba in Karu LGA that was found carrying 17 individuals, including 11 boys and six girls aged between 10 and 19 years, who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
According to police statements, the vehicle was traveling from Shendam in Plateau State to Kayama in Kwara State, where the children were allegedly to meet an individual believed to have promised them farming jobs that would offer economic opportunity. However, efforts to reach the families of the children or the person named as the recruiter were unsuccessful, raising alarms about the broader network and methods used to lure young people into exploitative situations.
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered that the rescued children be taken into protective custody at the SCID in Lafia and directed a full investigation to unravel the circumstances behind their movement and to apprehend all those connected to the suspected trafficking network. Police officials reaffirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities promptly to aid in breaking up such criminal enterprises.
Human trafficking remains one of West Africa’s most persistent challenges, with networks exploiting poverty, unemployment, and lack of awareness among rural and urban populations alike. Traffickers often promise lucrative job opportunities or educational prospects in distant towns or other states, only to coerce victims into forced labor, exploitation, or sale within internal criminal markets. Nigerian authorities, including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and state police commands, have increasingly focused on intelligence-led operations to dismantle these networks and safeguard children’s rights.
Child trafficking cases have also drawn public outcry as they reveal the depths to which criminal syndicates will go to exploit economic vulnerabilities. Beyond isolated incidents, advocacy groups have highlighted the need for stronger community awareness, robust social services, improved law enforcement coordination, and victim support mechanisms to address the root causes of trafficking and reduce the incidence of such crimes.
Officials caution that the recent arrests and rescue operations represent only a fraction of a complex and adaptive criminal landscape. Traffickers often operate fluidly across state borders, using informal transport routes and exploiting gaps in monitoring. In response, state police commands and federal agencies continue to strengthen patrols, surveillance, and cross-border cooperation to intercept suspicious movements and protect children from abduction and exploitation.
Local community leaders in Nasarawa State have welcomed the police’s actions while urging sustained efforts to dismantle trafficking rings and support affected families. “This operation demonstrates the resolve of our security agencies to confront heinous crimes that prey on the innocence of our children,” one community representative commented, underscoring the importance of vigilance and community cooperation in preventing future incidents.
Civil society advocates also emphasise the critical role of education and economic empowerment programs aimed at vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas where trafficking recruiters often find fertile ground for deception. These advocates call for comprehensive strategies that combine enforcement with preventive social interventions to make communities less susceptible to exploitation.
As investigations continue, authorities have promised regular updates to the public and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing all leads to bring additional suspects to justice, dismantle human trafficking networks, and ensure that recovered children are reintegrated safely into their families and communities.
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