The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has rescued 15 children who were allegedly trafficked from Nasarawa State after a suspect promised their parents free schooling.
NSCDC spokesperson Babawale Afolabi told reporters in Abuja on Friday that the suspect presented himself as an official of the National Council of Child Rights Advocates. He ran what he called the “Back to School Project” and targeted less privileged parents with promises of free education for their children.
According to Afolabi, 16 children were taken from Kama Madaki and Gudindi Mada communities in Kokona LGA. Each child was allegedly sold for N2 million.
The Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad led by Dandaura Appollos tracked the buyers across multiple states. Three children were found in Anambra, Imo and Enugu states. The remaining 12 were recovered during a coordinated operation along eastern transit routes.
So far, 15 of the 16 victims have been rescued. Three buyers, one man and two women, have been arrested in connection with the case.
Afolabi said the corps operates a zero-tolerance policy on human trafficking and that all suspects found culpable will be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
