By Hosea Parah
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued one trafficked female minor and a stolen car.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, briefed journalists on the recovery and arrest of suspects on Monday at the NSCDC Headquarters, Sauka, Abuja.
Fifteen of the 16 trafficked minors had recently been rescued by NSCDC operatives, while one remained missing.
Afolabi announced that the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGsSIS) had successfully rescued the 16th trafficked girl.
He said the child was rescued in Kwali Area of the FCT, adding that the buyers of the trafficked child were in custody.
He added that the CGsSIS also arrested a car-snatching syndicate operating across Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, and Kaduna states.
Afolabi said that the operatives intercepted the suspect with multiple stolen Toyota vehicles.
“He was intercepted under the Mpape flyover bridge while attempting to supply a stolen Toyota Camry.
“The receiver claimed he purchased it from an accomplice for N700,000.
“He is a key suspect who has been on the corps’ wanted list for car theft while his members had earlier been arrested and paraded,” he said.
In a related development, Mr Afolabi said that the squad also arrested an alleged armed robber who stole a Bajaj motorcycle at gunpoint and sold it for N150,000.
“Recovered from the suspects was one AK-47 rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, and N70,000 in cash,” Afolabi said.
According to the public relations officer (PRO), police also arrested a motor boy who stole an airport passenger’s travel bag at the Sauka pedestrian bridge.
“Despite receiving a N200 tip to help look after the bag, our surveillance team caught him the next day wearing the victim’s clothes.
“The bag and its contents were fully recovered at a nearby laundry shop,” Afolabi stated.
Similarly, the CGSSIS arrested three persons for alleged vandalism and theft of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) in Abuja.
A suspect was apprehended at the Office of the Head of Civil Service while attempting to complete the vandalism of armoured cables, which commenced the previous day.
“He confessed to returning to complete an attempted break-in from the previous day alongside his fleeing accomplices.
“He also confessed to having previously vandalised and stolen generator house cables and batteries from Sahad Stores, Area 11, Abuja, which were sold for N85,000.
“Another vandal was arrested in the Central Business District while severing armoured street light cables,” the spokesman said.
Afolabi also disclosed that maintenance staff at the National Agricultural Seed Council, Kwali, were arrested for stealing 15 tractor batteries and selling them for N20,000 per unit.
He said the corps’ legal department was securing remand/detention warrants to complete in-depth investigations and ensure prosecution.
The PRO assured that the NSCDC, under the leadership of Ahmed Audi, would ensure that there is no haven for criminals within the FCT and across the country.