Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have foiled an attempted trafficking of three children in the Mararaba area of Karu Local Government Area of the state, following a swift intervention which led to the arrest of a suspect.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Lafia, the state capital.

Nansel announced that a 22-year-old female suspect, Aisha Hashiru, was apprehended by members of the public at the popular Orange Market in Mararaba while attempting to abduct the three minors.

Child abduction and trafficking remain major security and human rights concern in Nigeria, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ranking the country among West Africa’s key trafficking hubs.

In 2024, NAPTIP reported rescuing over 2,500 victims of human trafficking and prosecuting dozens of offenders across the country.

Victims are often children targeted for forced labour, sexual exploitation, or illegal adoption.

Explaining the incident, Nansel stated, “She was about to be lynched when the Divisional Police Officer of Mararaba ‘A’ Division, acting promptly on the report, mobilized his patrol team to the scene, rescued both the suspect and the children, and moved them to the station for safety.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had sneaked into the residence of Ramatu Auwal (female) of Orange Market earlier that day at about 1700hrs and abducted her three children: Fatima Auwal, female, four years; Shafiyi Auwal, male, five years and Amina Auwal, female, six years.

“Nemesis, however, caught up with her when she was intercepted by vigilant members of the public. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to luring the children under the pretext of buying them biscuits.”

He further explained that the state Commissioner of Police, Shettima Mohammed, had directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for thorough investigation.

“He charged officers of the command to intensify efforts in unravelling other reported cases of missing children, and to strengthen the command’s fight against human trafficking across the state.

“The command appreciates the vigilance of residents and assures the public of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and ensuring the safety of children across Nasarawa State,” Nansel added in the statement.

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified anti-human trafficking operations nationwide through its State Criminal Investigation Departments and partnerships with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

Friday’s arrest in Mararaba underscores the importance of community vigilance in tackling the menace, as members of the public played a critical role in apprehending the suspect before police intervention. (The PUNCH)