The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued 15 children allegedly trafficked from Nasarawa State and arrested three suspected buyers in an operation targeting a child trafficking syndicate.
The breakthrough followed an intelligence-led investigation into the disappearance of children in Kokona Local Government Area of the state, which uncovered an alleged syndicate operating under the guise of a non-governmental organisation.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
According to Afolabi, the operation was conducted by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS).
He said the alleged syndicate was led by Anderson Archibong, who reportedly posed as an official of an NGO operating a “Back to School Project” under the name “National Council of Child Rights Advocate”.
Archibong allegedly used the scheme to deceive low-income parents before taking their children under false pretences.
The investigation revealed that in January 2026, 16 children were allegedly taken from their parents and sold to buyers in different parts of the country for N2 million each.
Following intelligence gathering and coordinated operations along various transit routes, NSCDC operatives rescued 15 of the children in Anambra, Imo and Enugu states, as well as other locations along the eastern transit corridors.
The Corps said three alleged buyers, identified as Joy Julius, Ngozi and Eze Lazarus, were arrested during the operation and reportedly confessed to their involvement in the trafficking network.
One of the trafficked children, however, is yet to be located, while efforts are ongoing to rescue the minor and apprehend other members of the syndicate.
The NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the CG’s SIS for its operational efficiency and intelligence-led approach to tackling criminal activities.
He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens, particularly children, and ensuring that those involved in trafficking and other forms of exploitation are brought to justice.
The NSCDC Directorate of Legal Services has also been directed to commence prosecution of the arrested suspects before courts of competent jurisdiction.