A suspected human trafficker has been apprehended in Gyado Villa, Makurdi, Benue State, by vigilant youths while attempting to transport seven underage boys from Ukum Local Government Area of the state for forced labour on farms in Ondo State.
DAILY POST learnt that the suspect is an alleged human trafficker who specialised in luring young boys into forced labour.
Sources said he had lodged the boys at 247 Hotel in Gyado Villa, Makurdi, as a staging point before continuing the journey southwards.
The operation was foiled when vigilant youths in Gyado Villa became suspicious and apprehended the suspect for interrogation.
A youth leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the community is currently holding the suspect while deliberating on the next line of action.
The arrest of the suspected trafficker by the youths has attracted commendation across the state capital as a timely intervention that prevented another group of vulnerable children from being lost to exploitative networks.
The youth leader stated that once the community concludes its initial handling of the matter, the case would be handed over to the Benue State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for formal investigation and prosecution.
However, the Benue Zonal Commandant of NAPTIP, Mrs Gloria Bai, could not be reached to confirm the formal arrest of the suspect.
NAPTIP is yet to issue an official statement confirming the arrest, the identity of the suspect, or the current status of the seven boys involved.