The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued 15 minors allegedly trafficked and sold for ₦2 million each by a man who reportedly posed as an official of a child-rights organisation.
The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Corps Headquarters in Abuja, explaining that the rescue was part of a wider operation targeting criminal syndicates involved in child trafficking and vandalism.
According to Afolabi, one of the suspects allegedly disguised himself as an official of the National Council of Child Rights Advocate and deceived parents into handing over their children.
He reportedly operated under the guise of running an NGO and orphanage initiative known as the “Back to School Project,” promising less-privileged parents that their children would receive free education.
The operation was conducted by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, led by Commander Dandaura Appollos.
Afolabi said 15 of the 16 children allegedly trafficked from Kama Madaki and Gudindi Mada communities in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State were eventually rescued from their alleged buyers.
“Through advanced field tracking, technical intelligence and multi-state tactical sweeps, operatives of the CG’s SIS tracked down the buyers who were from different locations in the country,” he said.
Three of the minors were reportedly rescued in Anambra, Imo and Enugu states, while the remaining 12 were recovered during a coordinated operation along eastern transit routes.
The NSCDC also announced the arrest of three suspected buyers—one man and two women—in connection with the case.
In addition to the rescued children, the operation reportedly led to the recovery of stolen rifles and vandalised telecommunications equipment.
The Corps said investigations were ongoing to uncover other members of the alleged trafficking network and determine the full extent of the operation.
