The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) intercepted a suspected child trafficking operation on Saturday, rescuing 17 minors during a routine patrol in the Nyanya area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The interception occurred on January 17, 2026, at the Building Materials axis of Nyanya. An afternoon patrol team from the Nyanya Unit Command flagged down a white Sharon vehicle, registration number SHD 253 YU, traveling from Shendam, Plateau State, toward Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State.
Upon inspection, officers discovered 17 young boys and girls “crammed” inside the vehicle. Most notably, two of the minors were found concealed in the vehicle’s boot, a discovery that immediately triggered suspicions of human trafficking.
The driver, identified as 36-year-old Mr. Nanle John, was detained after providing what officials described as “unsatisfactory explanations” during preliminary questioning.
In accordance with inter-agency protocols, the FRSC impounded the vehicle and handed the driver and the children over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Mararaba Division.
The Commissioner of Police for the Nasarawa State Command, CP Shetima Jauro Mohamed, has since ordered the rescued children into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia. A comprehensive investigation is currently underway to identify and dismantle any trafficking networks associated with the incident.
Commenting on the operation, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed praised the vigilance of the patrol team, noting that the Corps’ mission extends beyond traffic management to the broader protection of lives.
”This interception demonstrates that the FRSC is not only about traffic control but about saving lives in every sense of the word,” Mohammed stated. He emphasized that while the Corps does not have the statutory mandate to investigate trafficking, it remains committed to identifying suspicious highway activities and collaborating with the police.
The FRSC has reaffirmed its commitment to national security and urged the public to remain vigilant on the nation’s highways.
