Suspected trafficker nabbed as police rescue 11 children in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected child trafficker and the rescue of 11 children in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking on Monday in a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Edet, said, “Yes, the police are aware of the incident. The suspect is in custody while an investigation is ongoing.”

A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, had earlier disclosed the development on his X handle on Monday.

Quoting security sources, Makama wrote, “Report received from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on Sunday indicated that a woman, identified as Priscilia Mhiive Terhemen of Mbachir, Katsina-Ala, had trafficked 11 children to Benin City, Edo State.”

He added that the victims were rescued in Edo with the help of Benue indigenes resident in the state and later returned to Katsina-Ala.

The rescued victims were listed as: Iwuese Terkimbi (five years), Sulma Terhemen (seven), Sechiur Orsuyi (eight), Sunday Mlumum (20), Nguveren Sunday (15), Doose Mwaave (12), Ternenge Wuave (11), Mnena Terhemen (16), Aondonengen Terkimbir (12), Nensha Terhemen (10), and Saakuma Terhemen (13).

“The children have been profiled, while the suspect is in custody,” Makama quoted the sources as saying.

He further noted that the State Criminal Investigation Department had commenced further investigation into the case.

PUNCH had on August 14 reported that the Enugu State Police Command arrested a 30-year-old man, Raymond Wonna, for alleged involvement in transnational human trafficking and rescued two victims.

The spokesperson for the state command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the victims, identified as Miracle Ogar (18) and Angela Kingsley (16), are both from Cross River State.

According to the police spokesperson, the victims were intercepted on July 30, 2025, while being trafficked to Ghana under the guise of securing job opportunities.

Punch