Nigeria, Jan. 19 -- The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 17 persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking during a stop-and-search operation in Karu Local Government Area of the state.

The rescue was carried out on Saturday at about 5:50 p.m. after patrol officers attached to the Mararaba "A" Division intercepted a white Volkswagen Sharon vehicle at Sharp Corner, Karu, according to a statement issued on Sunday.

THE PUNCH reported that the vehicle, with registration number SHD 253 YU, was driven by a 36-year-old man, Nanle John, and was conveying 17 passengers made up of 11 boys and six girls aged between 10 and 19 years.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in Nasarawa State, Ramhan Nansel, sa...