Suspected Human Trafficker Apprehended in Makurdi While Attempting to Transport Seven Underage Boys to Ogun State

A suspected human trafficker has been apprehended by youths in Gyado Villa, Makurdi, Benue State, after he allegedly moved seven underage boys from Ukum Local Government Area with plans to transport them to Ogun State for forced labour on farms and cocoa plantations.

According to accounts circulating on social media, the suspect—described as a “professional” trafficker specializing in deceiving and relocating young boys—was caught in the act late on January 13 or early January 14, 2026. Community sources say he had lodged the boys at 247 Hotel in Gyado Villa, Makurdi, as a staging point before continuing the journey southward.

The operation was reportedly disrupted when local youths in Gyado Villa became suspicious and intervened, apprehending the man for questioning and possible handover to authorities. One youth leader who spoke about the incident confirmed that the community is currently holding the suspect while deciding the next line of action.

The post highlighted broader concerns over human trafficking patterns affecting Benue communities. It alleged that girls from the state are frequently trafficked to other parts of Nigeria and abroad for prostitution, while boys are increasingly targeted for exploitative labour on plantations, mining sites, and other forms of hard manual work. Some reports claim victims have died in remote forests or been used in rituals, contributing to yearly disappearances described as “journeys of no return.”

The suspect’s apprehension has been hailed by some online commentators as a timely intervention that prevented another group of vulnerable children from being lost to exploitative networks. The youth leader involved stated that if the community concludes its initial handling of the matter, the case would be escalated to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Benue State Command, for formal investigation and prosecution.

This incident underscores persistent worries about child trafficking routes originating from parts of Benue State, particularly rural local government areas, where economic hardship and lack of awareness are said to make young people easy targets for recruiters promising better opportunities elsewhere. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming the arrest, the identity of the suspect, or the current status of the seven boys involved.

Community advocates and online voices are calling for heightened vigilance, stronger collaboration between local vigilantes, security agencies, and NAPTIP, and urgent public sensitization campaigns to curb the trafficking of minors for labour and sexual exploitation. The case remains under local watch as stakeholders await further developments.