By Anwar Usman
The Kogi State Government has said security operatives have intercepted a group of underage children trafficked into the state in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo.
“At about 1500hrs on December 5, 2025, eagle-eyed security operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, acting on credible intelligence from community hunters, intercepted a truck conveying 21 children aged between six and 17 years into Kogi State,” the commissioner stated.
The commissioner stated that investigations revealed that the children were trafficked from different northern states suspiciously by adults who could not provide legitimate justification for their movement.
“Several suspects linked to the trafficking operation have been arrested, including individuals who claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal ‘Islamic school’ within Yagba East,” the statement further revealed.
Fanwo also added that, further arrests were carried out as security operatives intensified effort and surveillance in the area, uncovering additional persons allegedly connected to the movement of the minors.
“Some of the suspects were also found with items raising significant security concerns,” he said, adding that the rescued children had been transferred to the NSCDC State Command in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.
He also assured that “upon completion of profiling and verification, the children will be handed over to their respective state governments for further investigation and eventual reintegration with their families.”
The commissioner, however, said all individuals found guilty in the trafficking operation would be prosecuted in accordance with Kogi State’s child trafficking and child rights protection laws.