NSCDC rescues 15 trafficked children, arrests officers over alleged service rifle sales
NSCDC Rescues 15 Trafficked Minors, Dismantles Vandalism Network
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) reported the rescue of 15 minors involved in human trafficking and the recovery of firearms during recent operations. The initiatives were part of the agency’s enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against crime, corruption, and vandalism.
Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, outlined the actions taken by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad in a statement. The operations stemmed from an investigation into a petition regarding missing children in Kokona Local Government Area (LGA), Nasarawa State, which revealed a trafficking syndicate led by an individual named Anderson Archibong.
Archibong allegedly posed as a non-governmental organization (NGO) official, claiming to operate a “Back to School Project” under the banner of the National Council of Child Rights Advocate, to exploit low-income families.
According to the statement, 16 children were fraudulently taken and sold nationwide for N2 million each in January 2026. Following intelligence-led operations across various transit routes, 15 of the missing children were successfully rescued in Anambra, Imo, Enugu states, and other eastern corridors.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of three individuals, identified as Joy Julius, Ngozi, and Eze Lazarus, who confessed to their involvement in the trafficking scheme. Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining child.
In a separate investigation regarding internal security and illegal arms diversion, NSCDC operatives apprehended CAII Igah Ameh James, a serving officer connected to the Commandant General’s Crack Squad. James was accused of stealing an assigned AK-47 rifle (Bridge No. 02028), abandoning his post, and transporting the weapon to Otukpo, Benue State. He allegedly sold the firearm to a middleman, Abakpa Simon Anthony, for N700,000, who resold it for N800,000 to a buyer identified as Sunday Akor.
The operatives recovered the stolen rifle along with two empty magazines. Additionally, an inventory audit at the Adamawa State Command led to the arrest of ASCI Peter Ardo, the former Head of Armoury, and CCA Boniface B. Lawyer. Between 2018 and 2024, Ardo reportedly removed two unserviceable G3 service rifles and sold them to Lawyer at prices of N210,000 and N220,000, respectively. Lawyer is accused of reselling the rifles to civilians. Both suspects are in custody after reportedly confessing to their roles in the illegal activities.
The Special Intelligence Squad also dismantled a vandalism syndicate targeting telecommunications infrastructure in Delta and Kano states. A suspect named Henry Dennis was apprehended with 12 vandalized telecommunications panels at an IHS tower site in Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State. Investigations revealed a larger network linked to a scrap market owner, Yusuf Musa, who allegedly financed and facilitated the resale of stolen components.
