NSCDC TRACKS DOWN SUSPECTED CHILD TRAFFICKING NETWORK, RESCUES 15 MINORS

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued 15 children allegedly trafficked from Nasarawa State and arrested three suspected buyers linked to the operation. The minors were reportedly sold for about N2 million each by a suspected member of a criminal network who allegedly disguised himself as an official of a child rights organisation.

The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed the development during a briefing at the Corps headquarters in Abuja. He said the rescue was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad as part of an intelligence-driven operation targeting criminal networks involved in child trafficking and other forms of organised crime.

According to Afolabi, the principal suspect allegedly operated under the identity of an official of the National Council of Child Rights Advocate and approached vulnerable families in Nasarawa State with promises of providing their children with free education. He reportedly used an initiative described as the “Back to School Project” and an orphanage programme to persuade parents to release their children.

The NSCDC said 16 children were initially taken from Kama Madaki and Gudindi Mada communities in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. While one child remained unaccounted for at the time of the operation, 15 were successfully located and rescued from individuals who had allegedly taken possession of them. The operation, led by Commander Dandaura Appollos, involved intelligence gathering, technical tracking and coordinated tactical activities across different states.

Afolabi said operatives were able to trace the alleged buyers to different parts of the country before carrying out the coordinated arrests and rescue operation. The development highlights the continued efforts of security agencies to disrupt child trafficking networks and protect vulnerable children from exploitation. Investigations are expected to continue as authorities work to identify other individuals connected to the alleged syndicate.