NSCDC busts child trafficking network, rescues 15 children, arrests suspected buyers

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has busted a child trafficking network operating across several states, rescuing 15 minors and arresting three suspected buyers.

The operation was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) as part of efforts to tackle crime, corruption and the destruction of critical national assets.

The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to him, the investigation followed a petition over missing children in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and led operatives to a suspected trafficking syndicate allegedly headed by one Anderson Archibong.

Afolabi said Archibong allegedly posed as an official of a non-governmental organisation operating a “Back to School Project” under the name “National Council of Child Rights Advocate” to gain the trust of low-income parents.

He said the suspect allegedly took 16 children in January 2026 and sold them to buyers in different parts of the country for ₦2 million each.

“Through intelligence-led operations across transit routes, 15 of the 16 children were successfully rescued in Anambra, Imo, Enugu and other eastern transit corridors,” the statement said.

The NSCDC spokesman added that three suspected buyers identified as Joy Julius, Ngozi and Eze Lazarus were arrested and allegedly confessed to their involvement in the trafficking operation.

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He said efforts were ongoing to locate the remaining child and apprehend other members of the syndicate.

In a separate operation, the CG’s SIS also uncovered the diversion and illegal sale of NSCDC firearms, leading to the arrest of serving personnel and other suspects.

Afolabi said an investigation into a missing AK-47 rifle at the NSCDC National Headquarters led to the arrest of CAII Igah Ameh James, a serving officer attached to the CG’s Crack Squad.

According to him, investigations revealed that James allegedly stole the assigned rifle, identified as Bridge No. 02028, deserted his post and transported the weapon to Otukpo, Benue State, where he allegedly sold it to Abakpa Simon Anthony for ₦700,000.

Anthony allegedly resold the rifle to another suspect, Sunday Akor, also known as IBB, for ₦800,000. The rifle and two empty magazines were subsequently recovered by the operatives.

Similarly, an armoury audit at the Adamawa State Command led to the arrest of ASCI Peter Ardo, a former Head of Armoury, and CCA Boniface B. Lawyer over the alleged illegal diversion of two unserviceable G3 service rifles.

The rifles, with breach numbers 10S838 and 69112944, were allegedly removed from the armoury between 2018 and 2024 and sold by Ardo to Lawyer for ₦210,000 and ₦220,000 respectively.

The NSCDC said Lawyer allegedly resold the weapons to a civilian, while Ardo was also accused of altering physical inventory registers to conceal the diversion during routine checks.

The Corps said both suspects were in custody after allegedly making full confessions.

In another operation, the CG’s SIS dismantled a syndicate allegedly involved in the vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure in Delta and Kano states.

Afolabi said operatives arrested Henry Dennis while allegedly in possession of 12 vandalised telecommunications panels from an IHS tower site in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

Further investigation, he said, exposed a wider network allegedly involving a scrap market owner and financier, Yusuf Musa, who reportedly funded the theft operations and resold stolen telecommunications components.

He said financial tracing also uncovered suspicious transactions allegedly routed through digital payment platforms, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.

The NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the CG’s SIS for what he described as tactical coordination and operational efficiency.

The Corps said internal administrative and disciplinary proceedings against implicated personnel had been concluded, while its Directorate of Legal Services had been directed to commence prosecution of the arrested suspects before courts of competent jurisdiction.

The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens, securing critical national infrastructure and ensuring integrity within its ranks.