The Plateau State Government has rescued dozens of minors allegedly trapped in cycles of s3xual exploitation, drug abuse, and trafficking in Jos–Bukuru.
The Task Force Committee on Human Trafficking, comprising of Plateau State Ministry of Justice, NAPTIP (Federal Ministry of Justice), Nigeria Immigration Service, NACTAL, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and Nigeria Police Force, all of Plateau State command, carried out coordinated raids on brothels, hotels, and motels across the metropolis.
According to a statement published on the verified Facebook page of the Plateau State Government on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the operation led to the rescue of young girls aged between 11 to 17 years, including persons living with disabilities (deaf and non-verbal), a breastfeeding mother, and a pregnant lady.
Officials said preliminary findings point to a disturbing pattern of men allegedly drugging and s3xually exploiting underaged girls, many of whom should be in school but were instead found in unsafe environments late at night.
Addressing members of the task force, the Chairman of the Committee, who also serves as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Plateau State, Hon. Barr. Philemon Audu Daffi described the situation as a painful indictment of societal failure.
“What we are seeing is a mirror of what our society has become. Many of these young people did not choose this path freely. Insecurity, economic hardship, broken homes, and irresponsible parenting have all contributed to pushing them into vulnerable situations,”
Barr. Daffi said.
He urged the task force to operate strictly within the ambit of the law, stressing that fairness and conscience must guide the exercise.
“Two things are critical,” he said. “First, you must be fair to all. These victims are not written off; they still have a future. Second, you must have conscience. No matter the circumstances, we must do the right thing.”
He also warned against compromise, emphasizing that the law would take its course regardless of social status or connections.
“We do not care whose son or whose father is involved. What matters is doing what is right,” he stated.
A representative of NACTAL, Mrs. Vivien Ebere Festus said the primary concern of this exercise is the life, wellbeing, and future of underaged children who are increasingly exposed to drugs, sexual exploitation, and trafficking.
“These are children who should be in school, under the care of their parents, not roaming the streets at night and being exploited,” she said, calling on parents and guardians to step up and take responsibility for the safety and upbringing of their children.
The Secretary of the Task Force Committee, Barr. David Nenfort Yilji expressed confidence that the operation would yield long-term benefits, noting that timely intervention could help redirect the lives of the rescued minors.
He also issued a stern warning to hotel and lodge operators, insisting they must ensure that minors are not accommodated on their premises.
“Any establishment found harboring underaged persons will be shut down by the government,” he said.
The operation covered several locations, including Jos Hotel, Plapoly Hotel, Stefans Hotel, Plateau Central Hotel, Puji West of Mines Hotel, Summit Hotel, Polo De Glit, King Step, Garden Palace, Bolinco, Jossy Royal, and People’s Hotel in both Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State, among others.
As of the time of filing this report, the rescued victims were undergoing screening and investigation to ascertain their status, after which the government is expected to provide appropriate intervention, rehabilitation, and support.
Officials say the raid is only the beginning of a sustained effort to dismantle networks that prey on vulnerable children—and a call for collective reflection on the moral and social responsibilities of families, communities, and society at large.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 15 persons, including foreign nationals, after uncovering a suspected human trafficking syndicate allegedly operating under the guise of an online marketing company in Nasarawa State.
The rescue followed an operation by the agency in Keffi and Karu local government areas based on credible intelligence about suspicious activities linked to fraudulent online marketing operations.
NAPTIP disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday via its X handle.
It said the operation was conducted on May 7, 2026, by officers of its Investigation Department and the Intelligence and International Cooperation Unit.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that fifteen (15) persons comprising four (4) female victims and eleven (11) male victims were found at the location. Among the male victims, three (3) were identified as Nigerians, while others are foreign nationals.
“Findings indicate that the suspects allegedly operated under the guise of an online marketing company to recruit and harbour unsuspecting persons in conditions suspected to be connected to human trafficking, cyber-related exploitation, and other organised criminal activities,” the statement read.
NAPTIP described the development as a serious security and humanitarian concern, citing the deceptive recruitment methods allegedly used by the traffickers and the vulnerability of victims to exploitation.
It said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network and arrest other collaborators linked to the syndicate.
The agency also reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and urged members of the public to report suspicious recruitment activities and movements within their communities to relevant authorities.
Officers of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have apprehended suspected vandals in connection with the looting and theft of items from a truck involved in an accident along the Calabar–Itu Highway.
A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Monday said the suspects were arrested on Sunday, while vandalising and stealing from a truck that had fallen into a valley at the Afaha community located along the Highway.
According to the statement, the operatives, after credible intelligence, mobilised to the scene and arrested one Adamu Hamza, aged 19, and a native of Maiduguri, Borno State, who was found in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres.
In a follow-up operation, they also arrested the tricycle operator, one Anthony James, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.
The statement reads in part, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the arrest of suspected vandals involved in the looting and theft of items from an accidented truck along the Calabar–Itu Highway.
“On 10th May, 2026, at about 22:00 hours, Operatives of the Command acted swiftly on credible intelligence received through a tricycle operator regarding the activities of criminal elements vandalizing and stealing from a truck that had fallen into a valley at Afaha along the Calabar–Itu Highway.
“Acting promptly on the information, Police operatives mobilized to the scene and successfully arrested one Adamu Hamza ‘M’, aged 19, a native of Maiduguri, in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres, with the value yet to be ascertained.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of the tricycle operator, one Anthony James, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.”
DSP John, who disclosed that the suspects are currently in Police custody, noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices connected to the criminal act.
She stated that the commissioner of police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has warned all criminal elements to desist from looting accident scenes, and has also reiterated the command’s commitment to strengthening its surveillance and deploying intelligence-driven policing strategies to safeguard lives and property across the state.
She called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, urging them to remain law-abiding and security-conscious at all times.
Gunmen have opened fire on the head office of a local security outfit, codenamed OSPAC, at Erema Street in Omoku town, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, injuring one officer. OSPAC is the acronym for Onelga Security and Peace Advisory Committee.
It was gathered that the incident which occurred at about 8:10pm on Saturday night caused pandemonium as residents and passersby scampered for safety.
Though the reason for the attack could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the assailants rode on two cars, one of which was an ash-coloured Lexus Jeep.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the security outfit in Rivers State, Godknows Nkem, said its office is a place where people come to lodge various complaints.
Nkem, however, expressed surprise how the gunmen drove into the office and started shooting indiscriminately, leaving one of its personnel with an ankle injury.
He stated, “At that hour of the day, the gunmen drove in and started shooting sporadically. Nobody died, but one of our personnel sustained a bullet injury on his ankle. Our station guards later repelled the attack.
“The fear of OSPAC is the beginning of wisdom in the entire Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and Rivers State at large. Just that for the past eight months we came on board, our welfare has not been catered for. We have been struggling to survive.”
The state OSPAC image maker however urged residents of ONELGA to be law abiding and go about their normal activities without fear and assured that the perpetrators will be fished out.
When contacted on Sunday afternoon, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the attack on the vigilante office, saying investigation is ongoing.
Agabe stated, “I can confirm the incident. No arrest for now because the incident happened late in the night, but investigation is ongoing to unmask the identities of the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice.”
