By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has successfully rescued a two-year-old boy, Mohammed Abubakar, who was allegedly being trafficked across states
in a swift operation highlighting the vigilance of security personnel not only in in Niger State in particular,but across the Country in general at the moment .
Two suspects are cooling their heels in custody, while two others have fled into thin air and are still at large as investigations continue in what appears to be an organized child trafficking network.
The The victim, Mohammed Abubakar, the fourth child of his parents , hails from Kakumi in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He was reportedly kidnapped on December 17, 2025, while playing in a neighbouring compound with other children and the boy’s father, simply identified as Abubakar Ibrahim, promptly reported the disappearance to the District Head of Kakumi, Maigari Babangida Tukur, before lodging a complaint about the matter at the police station at the Kakumi Town Police outpost.
The breakthrough came during the child’s attempted transportation from Zaria in Kaduna State to Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Suspect, Winner Anda, 18 years, a resident of Okene Local Government Area in Kogi State, was en-route when he was flagged down by an alert officer from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Mary Adukwu from Kaduna State Command, traveling in the same vehicle.
The officer grew suspicious after questioning Anda about the child, finding his responses unconvincing. Upon reaching Suleja in Niger State, the officer made calls to authorities, leading to the handover of Anda and the child to local vigilante groups.
The vigilantes subsequently transferred the case to NSCDC officials in Suleja. During interrogation, Anda confessed to receiving the child from one A’isha in Zaria.
He claimed A’isha paid him ₦10,000, provided bread and Coca-Cola, and instructed him to deliver the boy to her “relative,” identified as one Mrs. Gloria, in Zuba.
NSCDC investigators directed Anda to contact the intended receiver. On December 18, 2025, a woman named Vivian Adubuisi arrived at Madalla, near Abuja, to collect the child and was immediately arrested
.She was then transferred to NSCDC headquarters in Minna, under the leadership of the State Commandant, Comdt. Suberu Siyaka Aniviye who directed the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, to take over the case for further questioning.
In her statement, Vivian Adubuisi allegedly admitted to previously performing a similar pickup in January 2025, allegedly on behalf of the same Mrs. Gloria.
Both Mrs. Gloria and A’isha are currently at large, with authorities intensifying efforts to apprehend them.
The rescued child, Mohammed Abubakar, has been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to be reunited with family after being placed in protective care.
NSCDC officials described the boy as being in good health, though understandably distressed from the ordeal. This incident underscores the persistent threat of child trafficking in northern Nigeria, where vulnerable children are often targeted for exploitation, domestic servitude, or worse.
The Commandant, NSCDC Niger state Command Commandant. Suberu Siyaka Aniviye commended the role of the Correctional Service officer and community vigilantes in thwarting the trafficking attempt.
The Commandant has promised to dismantle the network, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving children.
Investigations are ongoing, with the arrested suspects Winner Anda and Vivian Adubuisi expected to be chaegef to court and face charges under relevant anti-trafficking laws.
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