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A viral Facebook post has ignited widespread outrage in Benue State after a user accused a man identified as Terzulum, popularly known around Lubana Roundabout in Gboko Local Government Area, of attempting to traffic underage girls.
The post, shared late Saturday night by a user operating under the name “D Naked Elder Zege Orkwande,” claimed that Terzulum tried to lure a group of young girls to a park in the area under suspicious circumstances. The poster described the night’s events as a “bad market” for the alleged perpetrator, implying that previous attempts may have succeeded but that this particular effort was thwarted.
In the strongly worded message, the user wrote: “Bad market for them today. You may have succeeded sending some out before, but today’s batch is bad market, sir.” The tone suggested that community members or vigilant residents intervened or disrupted the plan, preventing the girls from being taken away.
The allegation has since spread rapidly across social media platforms, prompting angry reactions from users who are demanding immediate action from security agencies and local authorities. Many have called for a thorough investigation into the claims, the identity and activities of the accused individual, and any possible network involved in child trafficking in the Gboko axis.
Child trafficking remains a serious concern in parts of Nigeria, including Benue State, where vulnerable young people are sometimes targeted with false promises of jobs, education, or better living conditions, only to be exploited or moved across state lines and borders.
As of the time of this report, neither the Benue State Police Command nor other relevant authorities have issued an official statement regarding the viral post or confirmed whether an investigation has been launched. Residents and child rights advocates continue to urge swift action to verify the allegations and ensure the safety of minors in the area.
The incident has once again highlighted the critical role of community vigilance and social media in exposing potential criminal activities, even as it raises questions about how best to balance rapid online alerts with due process and accurate verification.
Further developments are awaited as calls grow louder for decisive measures to protect children and crack down on any confirmed trafficking rings operating in Benue communities.
