THE Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a suspected child trafficker and several individuals involved in the illegal acquisition and transportation of petroleum products across the state.
The arrests were announced by the NSCDC spokesperson in Zamfara, Umar Mohammad, during the parade of suspects at the command’s headquarters in Gusau.
According to him, a 31-year-old man identified as Jerry Peter, an indigene of Kebbi State, was apprehended on January 24, 2026, in Gusau while allegedly attempting to traffic five underage children.
The minors were intercepted along the Lalan area of the state capital.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was travelling with the children late at night and allegedly planned to transport them out of Zamfara State before operatives of the corps intervened.
The children were rescued unharmed, while the suspect was subsequently handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.
Mohammad disclosed that the suspect claimed the children were en route to Kaduna before being taken to Edo State, where they were allegedly to be delivered to individuals in Benin City.
In a related operation, the NSCDC also arrested sixteen suspects for the illegal purchase and movement of petroleum products across several local government areas of Zamfara State.
The suspects were apprehended between January 21 and 23, 2026.
The corps said a total of 1,860 litres of petroleum products—comprising 1,470 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 390 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)—were recovered.
The products were stored in sixty-two jerrycans and allegedly purchased during odd hours from various filling stations without the required authorisation.
According to the NSCDC, the fuel was suspected to be intended for illegal resale or diversion, posing serious security and safety risks. The total estimated cost of the seized products was put at ₦2.02 million.
The Zamfara State Command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against child trafficking, illegal fuel dealings, and other criminal activities capable of undermining public safety.
The corps assured the public that all suspects would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.