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

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued fifteen children from human trafficking and recovered three stolen rifles. Additionally, the organization dismantled a syndicate responsible for vandalizing and stealing telecommunications infrastructure across Delta and Kano states. These actions were carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) through intelligence-led operations targeting various criminal activities.

The NSCDC's National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, detailed these operations in a recent statement. The initiative aimed to tackle crime, corruption, and the destruction of national assets, aligning with the zero-tolerance policy of Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi. Afolabi explained that the operation on child trafficking began after receiving a complaint about missing children in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

This investigation led to the rescue of 15 out of 16 children from a syndicate allegedly led by Anderson Archibong, who posed as an official of a school project under the National Council of Child Rights Advocate. The remaining child's whereabouts are still being sought. In a separate case, CG’s SIS operatives traced an AK-47 rifle to a serving NSCDC officer, CAII Igah Ameh James, who had abandoned his post to transport the weapon to Benue State.

James was subsequently arrested along with two accomplices, who confessed to their roles in the arms diversion. The recovered rifles and two empty magazines were seized. Another arms diversion case was uncovered in Adamawa State when an armor inventory audit revealed that ASCI Peter Ardo and CCA Boniface Lawyer had removed and sold two G3 service rifles.

Both were arrested after confessing to the crime. Lastly, the CG’s SIS dismantled a network involved in vandalizing telecommunications infrastructure in Delta and Kano states. Henry Dennis was arrested while vandalizing an IHS telecommunications tower in Delta State, where 12 vandalized panels were recovered. The investigation also revealed a broader network linked to Yusuf Musa, who allegedly financed the thefts and facilitated the resale of stolen components.

Financial transactions were traced through digital payment platforms, and efforts are ongoing to obtain warrants for other suspects in the syndicate. The NSCDC affirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens, maintaining infrastructure integrity, and ensuring accountability within its ranks.