NSCDC Rescues 21 Children From Suspected Banditry Recruitment in Kogi, Arrests Trafficking Suspects
The National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in collaboration with other security agencies, has rescued 21 underage children from what authorities suspect to be a covert recruitment effort for banditry training in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State. The children, aged between six and 17 years, were reportedly being trafficked under suspicious circumstances before their interception by security operatives.
The development was officially confirmed on Tuesday through a statement issued by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo. According to the statement, the successful operation followed actionable intelligence provided by local community hunters, who alerted security agencies to the unusual movement of minors into the area.
Security operatives reportedly intercepted a truck conveying the children at about 3:00 p.m. on December 5, 2025. Preliminary findings revealed that the children had been transported from different northern states by a group of adults who were unable to give a verifiable or legitimate explanation for their movement or final destination. Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the transportation raised serious red flags and suggested possible links to criminal recruitment activities.
Several suspects connected to the trafficking operation were immediately arrested. The suspects reportedly claimed that they were conveying the children for the purpose of establishing an informal Islamic school in Yagba East. However, security agencies said the claim did not align with available intelligence, prompting deeper investigations. Additional arrests were made after security personnel intensified surveillance within the area, leading to the apprehension of more individuals allegedly connected to the movement of the minors.
According to the state government, some of the suspects were also found in possession of items considered to be of significant security concern, further strengthening suspicions that the operation may have been linked to criminal elements involved in banditry and related activities.
Following their rescue, the children were transferred to the NSCDC State Command in Lokoja for proper documentation, profiling, and detailed investigation. Authorities said this process is necessary to establish the full scale of the operation, identify all those involved, and determine whether the children had already undergone any form of criminal indoctrination.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take full custody of the rescued children. The ministry has been instructed to ensure their safety, provide immediate welfare support, and deliver psychosocial care while investigations continue. The state government also confirmed that, after proper verification and profiling, the children would be returned to their respective states for reintegration with their families under the supervision of relevant authorities.
The government further assured that all individuals found to be directly or indirectly involved in the trafficking operation would be prosecuted in line with Kogi State’s Child Trafficking and Child Rights Protection Laws. Officials emphasized that the administration remains committed to enforcing the law against all forms of child exploitation and criminal recruitment.
In its statement, the Kogi State Government reiterated its firm stance against child trafficking, criminal infiltration, and any activities capable of threatening public safety. The government pledged to continue working closely with security agencies, traditional institutions, and local communities to strengthen intelligence gathering and prevent the movement of criminal elements across the state.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing concern over the exploitation of vulnerable children for criminal purposes in parts of Nigeria. Security experts have long warned that minors are increasingly being targeted by criminal networks for recruitment into banditry, kidnapping, and insurgent activities due to their vulnerability and limited access to education and social protection.
While investigations are ongoing, authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements within their communities. Security agencies also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children and dismantling trafficking networks operating across state borders.
The rescue operation is being seen as a significant intervention that prevented what could have developed into a dangerous criminal pipeline involving minors. As investigations deepen, the outcome of the case is expected to provide further clarity on the scale of the operation and the individuals behind it.