The Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, who also heads the state’s Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce, made the disclosure on Saturday while briefing journalists at the Ministry of Justice Secretariat in Jos. He hailed the operation as a major milestone in the state’s battle against human trafficking and child exploitation.
Daffi explained that the intelligence-led raid was conducted across several locations late on Thursday night and continued into the early hours of Friday. The coordinated action resulted in the arrest of suspected traffickers and the rescue of individuals found in abusive and exploitative situations.
He revealed that those apprehended include three pregnant women, seven underage girls, 41 adult women, nine underage boys, and 123 adult men, bringing the total number of suspects to 184. He added that all suspects are currently being profiled, and anyone found culpable will be charged and prosecuted in line with the law.
Describing the operation, Daffi said the Taskforce carried out a precise, multi-site raid that led to targeted arrests and the liberation of many vulnerable citizens who had been hidden from public view.
According to him, the success of the operation followed months of assessment, training, and intelligence gathering, with insights from previous interventions used to close gaps previously exploited by trafficking networks. He noted that the state has moved beyond reactive measures and is now strategically ahead of criminal syndicates that once considered Plateau State a safe haven.
The Attorney-General strongly denounced child prostitution, labeling it as a clear form of human trafficking and a serious breach of the Child’s Rights Law. He emphasized that such offences would no longer be treated as minor social issues or vagrancy-related cases.
He stressed that any form of prostitution involving minors amounts to slavery, stating that children cannot legally consent and are victims of exploitation and coercion. Daffi also cautioned adults who engage minors, describing them as predators who fuel the cycle of abuse, and assured that offenders would face strict penalties without the option of fines or leniency.
As part of enhanced enforcement efforts, Daffi announced the immediate adoption of a “seal, seize and demolish” policy targeting properties and businesses connected to human trafficking and child exploitation.
He said any premises found accommodating minors for commercial gain would be shut down, their assets confiscated by the state, and such structures demolished when necessary. He added that the government is determined to cleanse Plateau State and ensure that only lawful businesses operate, stressing that there is no place in the state for those who profit from harming children.
The Taskforce also expressed concern over cases of family involvement and parental neglect, warning that relatives who traffic their own children would face prosecution.
Daffi further stated that parents or guardians who fail in their duty of care and expose their children to traffickers would be held criminally responsible, stressing that poverty cannot justify selling a child into exploitation.
He reaffirmed the state’s resolve to sustain the crackdown, noting that the Taskforce is strengthening its operations through improved training, infrastructure, and victim rehabilitation programmes.
Concluding, Daffi said the operation sends a strong warning to traffickers and their accomplices, declaring that impunity in Plateau State is over and that those involved in such crimes will have nowhere to hide.
