Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued 184 victims of human trafficking in a coordinated operation across Plateau State, marking one of the most significant anti-trafficking interventions recorded in the region in recent years. The February 2026 operation targeted multiple locations in Jos and surrounding local government areas, disrupting what officials described as active transit hubs and holding centers used by trafficking syndicates.
Among those rescued are three pregnant women, a detail authorities say underscores the acute vulnerability of individuals trapped in trafficking networks. The breakdown released by officials shows that 123 male adults and 41 female adults were freed, alongside 16 minors comprising seven girls and nine boys. The diversity in age and gender reflects the evolving patterns of trafficking in Nigeria, where victims are increasingly recruited for forced labor, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and illegal migration schemes.
The operation followed intensified intelligence-gathering by the Plateau State Taskforce on Anti-Human Trafficking, working in collaboration with NAPTIP’s field command. According to agency officials, several “black spots” within Jos were identified as temporary shelters where victims were kept before being moved either to other Nigerian states or across international borders. Law enforcement sources indicate that surveillance activities and community informants played a critical role in mapping these transit routes.
Anne Felix, Acting Head of Counseling and Rehabilitation for NAPTIP in Plateau State, disclosed details of the operation during a recent security workshop in Jos. She confirmed that coordinated raids were carried out simultaneously to prevent traffickers from relocating victims once alerted. Felix stated that the rescue of the three pregnant women presented additional medical and psychosocial challenges, requiring immediate intervention from healthcare professionals.
Officials involved in the operation described the conditions in some of the raided locations as overcrowded and unsanitary, with limited access to food, water, or medical care. While authorities did not release specific addresses for security reasons, they noted that some premises were disguised as residential apartments or informal labor recruitment centers. Investigators believe many of the victims were being prepared for onward transportation under false promises of employment or education opportunities.
The Attorney-General of Plateau State and Chairman of the State’s Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce, Philemon Daffi, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance. He announced a “seal, seize, and demolish” policy for properties found to be harboring trafficking activities, a measure intended to deter landlords and collaborators who knowingly facilitate exploitation. Daffi emphasized that property owners could face prosecution if investigations establish complicity.
The rescued individuals are currently undergoing profiling, medical screening, and psychological assessment at designated facilities. NAPTIP confirmed that five victims have already been transferred to specialized rehabilitation centers for intensive counseling and vocational training. Several others have been reunited with their families after background checks and clearance procedures were completed. Agency officials said reintegration remains a sensitive process, particularly for minors and women who may face stigma or economic hardship upon return to their communities.
Suspected traffickers arrested during the raids are undergoing prosecution. While the agency has not disclosed the exact number of arrests made in the February operation, it referenced convictions secured in December 2025 as evidence of judicial progress. Those earlier convictions involved charges related to forced labor recruitment and cross-border trafficking, reinforcing NAPTIP’s claim that enforcement measures are yielding tangible outcomes.
Human trafficking remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, a country that functions simultaneously as a source, transit, and destination point for trafficking networks. Plateau State’s strategic location in the country’s north-central corridor has made it vulnerable to movement routes linking southern states to northern borders. Law enforcement officials note that traffickers increasingly exploit economic instability and unemployment, targeting young adults with promises of lucrative jobs abroad.
Civil society organizations operating in Jos have long warned about the existence of clandestine facilities sometimes referred to as “baby factories,” where vulnerable women are coerced into pregnancy and newborns are illegally sold. Authorities have not confirmed whether any of the locations raided in February were directly connected to such operations, but they reiterated calls for citizens to report suspicious activities, especially movements involving minors and pregnant women.
Security analysts argue that the scale of the Plateau rescue reflects improved inter-agency coordination but caution that sustained efforts are required to dismantle trafficking networks comprehensively. Intelligence-led operations, they say, must be complemented by community education, economic empowerment programs, and cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries. Without addressing the socioeconomic drivers that traffickers exploit, enforcement actions alone may not eliminate the problem.
Community leaders in Jos have welcomed the intervention, describing it as timely and necessary. However, they stress the importance of long-term rehabilitation for survivors. Psychologists working with trafficking victims note that trauma recovery can extend beyond immediate medical treatment, often requiring months of counseling and structured support systems.
NAPTIP officials reiterated that public vigilance remains central to prevention efforts. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious recruitment advertisements, unregistered travel agents, or premises where individuals appear confined against their will. Authorities maintain that early reporting significantly increases the likelihood of rescue before victims are transported out of state or abroad.
The February crackdown serves as a reminder that trafficking syndicates continue to adapt their methods despite law enforcement pressure. For the 184 individuals rescued, the operation represents a critical turning point, offering the possibility of safety and recovery after what officials describe as severe exploitation. For authorities in Plateau State and beyond, the challenge now lies in sustaining momentum, securing convictions, and ensuring that survivors receive the comprehensive support necessary to rebuild their lives.
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