NSCDC Rescues 15 Trafficked Children, Arrests Three Suspected Buyers

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued 15 minors allegedly trafficked and sold for N2 million each by a suspected member of a criminal syndicate posing as an official of a child rights organisation.

According to The Nation, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Corps Headquarters in Abuja.

Afolabi said the rescue was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad as part of a major operation targeting criminal networks involved in child trafficking and vandalism.

He said the suspect allegedly posed as an official of the National Council of Child Rights Advocate and convinced parents in Nasarawa State to hand over their children under the guise of providing them with free education.

“Under the guise of operating an NGO and orphanage programme called the Back to School Project, he lured willing, less privileged parents into releasing their children with promises of free education,” Afolabi said.

READ ALSO: NSCDC Arrests Suspect For Vandalising Great Green Wall Fence In Jigsaw

According to him, 16 children were trafficked from Kama Madaki and Gudindi Mada communities in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, with 15 subsequently rescued from their alleged buyers.

Afolabi said the operation, led by Commander Dandaura Appollos, involved intelligence gathering and coordinated tactical operations across several states.

“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.

He disclosed that three of the victims were rescued in Anambra, Imo and Enugu states, while the remaining 12 were recovered during a coordinated operation along eastern transit routes.

The NSCDC spokesman also announced the arrest of three suspected buyers in connection with the trafficking case.

He said the suspects comprised one man and two women.

The Corps also reported the recovery of stolen rifles and vandalised telecommunications equipment during the wider crackdown on criminal syndicates.

The NSCDC said the operation was part of efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in child trafficking, vandalism and other related offences.