The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has arrested a suspected child trafficker in Nyanya, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after intercepting a vehicle carrying 17 young boys and girls, with two minors concealed in the boot.
The Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in a statement, said last week, the afternoon patrol team of Nyanya unit command intercepted a white Sharon vehicle with registration number SHD 253 YU at the Building Materials axis of Nyanya.
The driver, 36-year-old Nanle John, was travelling from Shendam, Plateau State, to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State when he was stopped by FRSC patrol officers, who suspected human trafficking due to the unusually high number of passengers.
“The interception followed the alertness and professional judgment of the patrol team, who observed an unusually high number of passengers, seventeen (17) young boys and girls crammed into the vehicle, with two minors concealed in the vehicle’s boot, immediately raising suspicion of possible human trafficking,” Mr Ogungbemide said.
He said the vehicle was promptly impounded, and the unit commander was briefed.
He further explained that preliminary questioning of the driver yielded unsatisfactory explanations, necessitating escalation to the appropriate security authority.
“In line with established protocols and inter-agency cooperation, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mararaba Division, was immediately contacted, and the driver, vehicle, and all the children were formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation,” he said.
Moreso, he said the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, Shettima Mohamed, ordered that the rescued young persons be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, while directing a comprehensive probe to dismantle any network connected to the suspected trafficking attempt.
Reacting to the development, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, stated that this interception demonstrated that the FRSC “is not only about traffic control but about saving lives in every sense of the word.”
Mr Mohammed said officers of the corps are trained to be vigilant, humane, and responsive to suspicious movements on the highways.
He reiterated that although the corps lacked the statutory mandate to investigate human trafficking, its responsibility to protect lives on Nigerian roads, identify suspicious activities, and immediately engage relevant security agencies was effectively and professionally discharged.
“To this end, the corps commends the swift response of the Nigeria Police Force and reassures the public of its continued commitment to vigilance, professionalism, and inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding lives across the nation’s highways,” he said.
