Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has delivered a series of devastating blows to criminal networks across the country, rescuing 15 trafficked minors, recovering stolen service rifles, and dismantling an inter-state telecommunications vandalism syndicate in major operations conducted by the Commandant General's Special Intelligence Squad. The breakthroughs, announced on Friday, September 4, 2026, by the Corps' National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, underscore the NSCDC's intensified offensive against organised crime, corruption, and the destruction of critical national assets.
In one of the most disturbing cases uncovered, operatives of the CG's SIS investigated a petition regarding missing children in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, leading to the exposure of a child trafficking syndicate led by one Anderson Archibong. Archibong masqueraded as an official of a non-governmental organisation running a "Back to School Project" under the name "National Council of Child Rights Advocate" to defraud low-income parents. Exploiting the trust of vulnerable families by promising educational opportunities, the syndicate reportedly took custody of 16 children in January 2026 and sold them to buyers across the country for approximately N2 million each.
Through intelligence-led operations across transit routes in Anambra, Imo, Enugu, and other eastern corridors, operatives successfully rescued 15 of the 16 trafficked children. Three buyers identified as Joy Julius, Ngozi, and Eze Lazarus were arrested and reportedly confessed to their involvement in the trafficking operation. The Corps has intensified efforts to locate and rescue the remaining child.
In a separate but equally significant operation targeting internal security breaches and illegal arms diversion, the Special Intelligence Squad arrested Corps Assistant II Igah Ameh James, a serving officer attached to the Commandant General's Crack Squad. Investigations revealed that James stole an assigned AK-47 rifle, deserted his post, and transported the weapon to Otukpo in Benue State. The investigation established that James sold the firearm to a middleman, Abakpa Simon Anthony, for N700,000, who subsequently resold it to an illicit buyer, Sunday Akor, popularly known as "IBB," for N800,000. Operatives successfully tracked and arrested the suspects, recovering the rifle alongside two empty magazines.
In a related armoury investigation at the Adamawa State Command, an inventory audit led to the arrest of Assistant Superintendent of Corps I Peter Ardo, a former Head of Armoury, and Corps Assistant Boniface B. Lawyer. Between 2018 and 2024, Ardo allegedly removed two unserviceable G3 service rifles and sold them to Lawyer for N210,000 and N220,000 respectively. Lawyer then resold the rifles to a civilian. To avoid detection during routine stocktaking, Ardo systematically falsified physical inventory registers by handwriting the serial numbers of the missing rifles into the stock records. Both suspects are in custody following full confessions.
Expanding on critical asset protection, the CG's SIS dismantled a syndicate targeting telecommunications infrastructure across Delta and Kano States. Operatives caught Henry Dennis red-handed with 12 vandalised telecom panels from an IHS tower site in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. Further investigations exposed a broader network involving a scrap market owner and financier, Yusuf Musa, who allegedly funded theft operations and resold stolen components.
NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the CG's SIS for their tactical coordination and operational efficiency. Internal administrative and disciplinary proceedings against all implicated personnel have been concluded, and the NSCDC Directorate of Legal Services has been directed to immediately initiate prosecution against all arrested suspects in courts of competent jurisdiction. The NSCDC has assured the public that no effort will be spared in ensuring that all perpetrators of these heinous crimes face the full weight of the law.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments