Fifteen children have been rescued after allegedly being trafficked and sold for about N2 million each by a syndicate operating under the name of a fake child-rights organisation.
The children were taken from communities in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, according to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
NSCDC spokesperson Babawale Afolabi disclosed the development during a briefing at the corps’ headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
Fake organisation allegedly promised free education
According to Afolabi, a member of the trafficking network allegedly posed as an official of the National Council of Child Rights Advocate and approached parents in the communities.
The suspect reportedly gained the parents’ trust by presenting an initiative called the Back to School Project.
Under the arrangement, disadvantaged families were allegedly promised free education for their children. The children were subsequently handed over to the suspect.
The NSCDC said 16 children were initially identified as victims, with 15 successfully recovered during the operation.
NSCDC tracks victims across several states
The rescue operation was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), led by Commander Dandaura Appollos.
Afolabi said investigators combined field surveillance, technical intelligence and coordinated operations across several states to locate the children and the people who had allegedly acquired them.
The operation led to the recovery of:
- Three children in Anambra, Imo and Enugu states.
- Twelve additional children during coordinated operations along eastern transit routes.
The NSCDC said the children originated from Kama Madaki and Gudindi Mada communities in Kokona LGA, Nasarawa State.
Three suspected buyers arrested
Authorities also arrested three suspected buyers — one man and two women — in connection with the case.
The arrests form part of the ongoing investigation into how the children were recruited, transferred and allegedly sold.
The NSCDC said it would continue pursuing those connected to the trafficking network.
Suspects face prosecution
Afolabi reaffirmed the corps’ stated zero-tolerance approach to human trafficking and other criminal activities.
He said the investigation would continue until all relevant facts had been established. Individuals found culpable after the investigation are expected to face prosecution.
The rescue operation has also raised concerns about how vulnerable families can be targeted through seemingly legitimate education or child-welfare programmes.
For parents and guardians, the case underscores the importance of verifying organisations claiming to provide child-care, education or welfare services before handing over children.
Source: NAN