Police intercept 38 young persons involved in trafficking in Benue

*… NAPTIP reads riot act to traffickers

The Benue State Police Command has intercepted buses loaded with 32 children and heading to Osun state.
The Commands Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Catherine Anene, confirmed this on Saturday saying the police are still carrying out investigations.
She also confirmed that a suspected child trafficker was intercepted with some six girls, on Friday, at Duku park, in Wurukum, Makurdi the state capital.
While the police are still investigating, the National Agency For The Prohibition Of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), has issued strong warnings to traffickers to desist from their evil act or be prepared to face the wrath of the law.
NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Mrs Bai Gloria, in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi, explained that during the early hours of Friday, January 7, 2022, the Makurdi Zonal Command received a call from a concerned citizen from Duku Motor Park at Wurukum Makurdi, who alerted the command of a suspected case of Human Trafficking involving seven ladies of which one is the suspected trafficker.
“Officers of the command arrived Duku Motor Park some few minutes after receiving the call and met the six ladies and the suspected trafficker who said they were all traveling to Lagos.
Mrs Bai said the victims were between the ages 16 to 24 years by facial analysis.
“At the time of the arrival the Nigerian police were also on ground because they were also called on the matter.
About N500, 000 was found on the suspect alongside some foreign currencies indicating that the victims are to be moved to destination outside the country yet to be determined.
“The ladies were all moved to the office of the Nigerian Police in company of the officers of NAPTIP.
She said the police are carrying out preliminary investigation for onward transfer to NAPTIP for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The NAPTIP Commander thanked the management of Duku Motor Park and the Concern Citizens who alerted the authorities and called on all citizens to be on the lookout for such indicators especially promises of lucrative jobs outside the state and abroad.