The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued 15 minors who were trafficked from Nasarawa State and sold for ₦2 million each across various parts of the country.
The announcement was made on Friday, September 4, 2026, during a media brief at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja by the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Babawale Afolabi.
The crackdown was executed by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), led by Commander Dandaura Appollos. Operatives launched an investigation following a formal petition detailing missing children from the Kama Madaki and Gudindi Mada communities in Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
The intelligence-driven investigation dismantled a syndicate led by a suspect identified as Anderson Archibong. Archibong allegedly posed as an official of a fraudulent entity named the National Council of Child Rights Advocate.
Operating under the guise of an initiative termed the “Back to School Project,” the suspect targeted low-income, vulnerable parents, promising them free education, care, and academic sponsorship for their children.
Investigators revealed that 16 children were fraudulently taken from the communities in January 2026. The minors were subsequently transported across state lines and sold to illegal buyers for ₦2 million per child.
Using technical tracking and multi-state tactical sweeps along eastern transit corridors, the CG’s SIS located the buyers; Three minors were rescued individually across Anambra, Imo, and Enugu states, while 12 others were intercepted during coordinated operational sweeps.
Three buyers identified as Joy Julius, Ngozi, and Eze Lazarus were arrested and have confessed to purchasing the children.
The press briefing also highlighted parallel enforcement sweeps conducted by the CG’s SIS. Serving officer CAII Igah Ameh James was arrested after stealing an assigned AK-47 rifle from the CG’s Crack Squad and selling it through middlemen in Benue State for up to ₦800,000.
In Adamawa State, former Head of Armoury ASCI Peter Ardo and CCA Boniface Lawyer were detained for illegally removing and selling two unserviceable G3 rifles, altering physical registers to cover up the theft.
Operatives dismantled an interstate network targeting telecommunications infrastructure in Delta and Kano states. Suspect Henry Dennis was caught red-handed with 12 stolen telecom panels at an IHS tower site in Delta State, leading to the identification of scrap financier Yusuf Musa.
NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the squad and confirmed that internal disciplinary proceedings against implicated personnel are complete.
The Directorate of Legal Services has been mandated to immediately prosecute all arrested suspects in court, while active tracking continues to locate the one remaining missing child.
Nasarawa Child Trafficking Ring Busted: 15 Rescued After Being Sold for ₦2m Each Under “Back to School” Cover
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued 15 minors who were trafficked from Nasarawa State and sold for ₦2 million each across various parts of the country.
The announcement was made on Friday, September 4, 2026, during a media brief at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja by the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Babawale Afolabi.
The crackdown was executed by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), led by Commander Dandaura Appollos. Operatives launched an investigation following a formal petition detailing missing children from the Kama Madaki and Gudindi Mada communities in Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
The intelligence-driven investigation dismantled a syndicate led by a suspect identified as Anderson Archibong. Archibong allegedly posed as an official of a fraudulent entity named the National Council of Child Rights Advocate.
Operating under the guise of an initiative termed the “Back to School Project,” the suspect targeted low-income, vulnerable parents, promising them free education, care, and academic sponsorship for their children.
Investigators revealed that 16 children were fraudulently taken from the communities in January 2026. The minors were subsequently transported across state lines and sold to illegal buyers for ₦2 million per child.
Using technical tracking and multi-state tactical sweeps along eastern transit corridors, the CG’s SIS located the buyers; Three minors were rescued individually across Anambra, Imo, and Enugu states, while 12 others were intercepted during coordinated operational sweeps.
Three buyers identified as Joy Julius, Ngozi, and Eze Lazarus were arrested and have confessed to purchasing the children.
The press briefing also highlighted parallel enforcement sweeps conducted by the CG’s SIS. Serving officer CAII Igah Ameh James was arrested after stealing an assigned AK-47 rifle from the CG’s Crack Squad and selling it through middlemen in Benue State for up to ₦800,000.
In Adamawa State, former Head of Armoury ASCI Peter Ardo and CCA Boniface Lawyer were detained for illegally removing and selling two unserviceable G3 rifles, altering physical registers to cover up the theft.
Operatives dismantled an interstate network targeting telecommunications infrastructure in Delta and Kano states. Suspect Henry Dennis was caught red-handed with 12 stolen telecom panels at an IHS tower site in Delta State, leading to the identification of scrap financier Yusuf Musa.
NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the squad and confirmed that internal disciplinary proceedings against implicated personnel are complete.
The Directorate of Legal Services has been mandated to immediately prosecute all arrested suspects in court, while active tracking continues to locate the one remaining missing child.
