By Philomina Brando
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intercepted a suspected child trafficking operation in Nyanya, Abuja, following the rescue of 19 minors found crammed into a commercial vehicle, including two concealed in the boot.
The interception occurred on Saturday, January 17, 2026, when an afternoon patrol team of the FRSC Nyanya Unit Command stopped a white Sharon vehicle with registration number SHD 253 YU at the Building Materials axis of Nyanya. The vehicle was reportedly travelling from Shendam in Plateau State to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
According to the FRSC, the patrol team became suspicious after noticing an unusually high number of young passengers in the vehicle. On further inspection, officers discovered 17 boys and girls squeezed inside the cabin, while two other minors were hidden in the boot.
The driver, identified as Nanle John, 36, was unable to give a satisfactory explanation regarding the circumstances of the journey or the identity of the children. The vehicle was subsequently impounded and the matter escalated to other security agencies.
In line with inter-agency protocols, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Mararaba Division was contacted, and the driver, the vehicle and the children were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
Following the handover, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Shetima Jauro Mohamed, ordered that the rescued children be taken into protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia. He also directed a comprehensive investigation aimed at uncovering and dismantling any network linked to the suspected trafficking attempt.
Reacting to the development, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, said the incident underscored the broader role of the agency beyond traffic management.
“This interception clearly demonstrates that the Federal Road Safety Corps is not only about traffic control but about saving lives in every sense of the word,” he said, adding that FRSC personnel are trained to be vigilant, humane and responsive to suspicious activities on Nigerian roads.
Mohammed noted that while the Corps does not have the statutory mandate to investigate human trafficking, it has a responsibility to protect lives, identify suspicious movements on highways and promptly involve relevant authorities.
The FRSC also commended the Nigeria Police Force for its swift response and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, vigilance and inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding lives across the country’s road network.