NSCDC Rescues 15 Trafficked Children, Recovers Stolen Rifles, Busts Telecom Vandalism Syndicate

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued 15 trafficked children, recovered three stolen service rifles and dismantled an inter-state syndicate involved in the vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure across Delta and Kano States.

The breakthroughs were recorded by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) in a series of intelligence-led operations targeting child trafficking, illegal arms diversion, internal corruption and critical infrastructure vandalism.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

He said the operations were conducted in line with the zero-tolerance policy of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, towards crime, corruption and the destruction of national assets.

On child trafficking, Afolabi said the squad commenced investigation following a petition over missing children in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Investigations, he said, uncovered a syndicate allegedly led by one Anderson Archibong, who posed as an official of an organisation operating a purported “Back to School Project” under the National Council of Child Rights Advocate.

According to him, Archibong allegedly exploited low-income parents before trafficking their children to buyers across the country.

He said 16 children were fraudulently taken in January 2026 and allegedly sold for ₦2 million each.

“Through intelligence-led operations across transit routes, 15 of the 16 children were successfully rescued in Anambra, Imo, Enugu and other eastern transit corridors,” he said.

Afolabi added that three alleged buyers—Joy Julius, Ngozi and Eze Lazarus—were arrested and had confessed to their involvement, while efforts were ongoing to locate the remaining child.

In a separate investigation into illegal arms diversion, CG’s SIS operatives traced a missing AK-47 rifle to a serving NSCDC officer attached to the CG’s Crack Squad.

The officer, CAII Igah Ameh James, was allegedly found to have stolen an assigned AK-47 rifle, with breach number 02028, abandoned his duty post and transported the weapon to Otukpo, Benue State.

Investigators established that James allegedly sold the rifle to a middleman, Abakpa Simon Anthony, for ₦700,000, while Anthony subsequently sold it to an alleged illicit arms buyer, Sunday Akor, also known as IBB, for ₦800,000.

The rifle and two empty magazines were recovered following the arrest of the suspects.

The Corps also uncovered another arms diversion case at its Adamawa State Command following an armoury inventory audit.

Afolabi said the investigation led to the arrest of ASCI Peter Ardo, a former Head of Armoury, and CCA Boniface Lawyer.

He said investigations revealed that between 2018 and 2024, Ardo allegedly removed two unserviceable G3 service rifles, with breach numbers 10S838 and 69112944, from the armoury and sold them to Lawyer for ₦210,000 and ₦220,000 respectively.

The weapons were subsequently resold to a civilian, while Ardo allegedly altered physical inventory registers to conceal the removals and evade detection during routine checks.

Both officers, he said, were in custody after allegedly making full confessions.

Meanwhile, the CG’s SIS has also dismantled a network allegedly responsible for vandalising telecommunications infrastructure in Delta and Kano States.

Afolabi said operatives arrested Henry Dennis while allegedly vandalising an IHS telecommunications tower site in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, where 12 vandalised telecom panels were recovered.

Further investigation reportedly exposed a wider network allegedly involving a scrap-market owner and financier, Yusuf Musa, who is accused of financing the theft operations and facilitating the resale of stolen telecommunications components.

The Corps said financial tracing uncovered suspicious transactions conducted through digital payment platforms, while efforts were underway to obtain search and arrest warrants for other members of the syndicate who remained at large.

The Commandant General commended the CG’s SIS for what he described as its tactical coordination and operational efficiency.

The NSCDC said internal administrative and disciplinary proceedings against implicated personnel had been concluded, while its Directorate of Legal Services had been directed to commence prosecution of the arrested suspects before courts of competent jurisdiction.

The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens, safeguarding critical national infrastructure and maintaining integrity and accountability within its ranks.

NSCDC Rescues 15 Trafficked Children, Recovers Stolen Rifles, Busts Telecom Vandalism Syndicate

Troops rescue two abducted victims, recover terrorists’ motorcycles in Katsina

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued two abducted victims and recovered two motorcycles belonging to terrorists during a counter-terrorism operation in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The troops, deployed for counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations in the state, encountered an armed terrorist group while conducting routine security operations in the area.

The troops engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee in disarray into the surrounding terrain.

During a subsequent search and clearance operation along the terrorists’ escape route, the troops rescued two male victims who had earlier been abducted along the Dandume–Damari axis.

The troops also recovered two motorcycles reportedly used by the terrorists to conduct their criminal activities.

The rescued victims are currently receiving necessary care and assessment before being reunited with their families.

Troops have maintained a heightened state of vigilance in the general area to safeguard local communities and prevent further attacks and criminal activities along critical transit corridors.

The operation forms part of the ongoing efforts by Operation FANSAN YAMMA to disrupt terrorist and bandit networks and restore lasting peace across the North-West.

Troops rescue two abducted victims, recover terrorists’ motorcycles in Katsina

Troops rescue 23 abducted civilians, foil kidnapping attempt in Zamfara

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 23 abducted civilians and foiled a separate kidnapping attempt during operations in Zamfara State.

The operations were conducted as part of ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry efforts to disrupt criminal groups operating across the state.

In Anka Local Government Area, troops on combat patrol around the outskirts of Wuya Town encountered a group of terrorists and successfully secured the release of 23 kidnapped civilians.

The victims comprised three adult males and 20 females. Preliminary debriefing revealed that they were abducted from Gummi Local Government Area and had been held in captivity for about three weeks.

The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention and other necessary support before being reunited with their families.

In a separate operation in Bungudu Local Government Area, troops responded to intelligence indicating that armed bandits had infiltrated Dankurmi Town with the intention of abducting residents.

The troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a heavy firefight.

The superior firepower of the troops forced the bandits to retreat without succeeding in abducting any civilian.

According to security sources, traces of blood were subsequently discovered along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, indicating that some of the attackers may have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.

Troops have maintained a strong presence in the area and are continuing operations to track the fleeing terrorists.

The latest successes further demonstrate the sustained efforts of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to rescue abducted citizens, disrupt bandit networks and restore security across Zamfara State.

Troops rescue 23 abducted civilians, foil kidnapping attempt in Zamfara