By: John Bassey, Zamfara.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC has arrested crime suspects in January 2026 operations, recovering five underage children, premium Motor Spirit, PMS, Automated Gas Oil, AGO and motorcycle in Zamfara state.

ASP1, Umar Mohammed Mansuru, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Zamfara state Command made this known while briefing journalists in Gusau on the several operational successes recorded in the month of January 2026.

In his words, the PRO said, the Zamfara state command of NSCDC brought before you today 27th January 2026 the parade of suspects arrested in diverse crimes as follows; illegal possession of petroleum products like PMS, AGO, public nuisance, traffic violation, motorcycle theft and child trafficking.

The NSCDC Under the inspired and discerning leadership of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mini, ofr, the Corps is committed to civil centered access to justice, adopting effective and workable measures for prevention and eradication of illegalities, civil or social unrest, human Right violation in order to ensure societal peace in Zamfara and Nigeria as a whole.

In line with the Federal and state Executive orders, restricting and regulating the acquisition of petroleum products, public unrest, theft and human rights abuses, the zamfara state command of NSCDC Under the leadership of Commandant Sani Mustapha established a coordinated preventive measures of curbing incessant negative activities disturbing the peace and order of the state.

To achieve this smoothly, proven and investigative structure are already in place to proactively contend these unethical decadence within the boundaries of Zamfara state.

Preliminary investigation revealed that, under illegal acquisition of petroleum products, 16 suspects were apprehended in the act of buying and selling petroleum products illegally among them were Ibrahim Bala, 26 year old male from Kara Village of Maradun LGA, Abdullahi Ibrahim, 50 years old male from the same village, Shehu Yusuf a 45 year old male from Falale village, Gummi LGA, Naziru Umar, a 30 year old male from Iyaka village in Gummi LGA, Shamsu Lawal, a 43 year old male from Mayanchi village in Maru LGA, Sani Umaru, a 30 year old male from Gazakura village of Bakura LGA, Abdulmuminu Dama, a 35 year old male, Nuhu Rabiu a 24 year old male, Naziru Hamza a 25 year old male, Shefiu Lawali a 25 year old male Rabiu Saidu a 23 year old male and five accomplices namely Abu Councilor, Buhari, Abu Gabas, Ibrahim kilu and Aliyu of Nasarawa Bekulu of Bukkuyum Local Government Area.

The petroleum products were acquired from Anka, Bakura, Gummi, Kaura Namoda and Talata Mafara respectively.

The suspects were arrested between the 21st to 23rd of January 2026. A total of 62 jericans of 30 liters were apprehended. 49 number of jericans contained PMS which were 1400 liters acquired at the cost of N870 per a liter totalling a sum of N10278,900. The remaining 13 liters contained the AGO which were 290 liters acquired at the cost of 1900 per a liter at a total cost of N7,41000 with the accumulative sum of N20,19900 for the entire petroleum products.

The dealings were carried out at the odd hours of the day contradicting the regulatory acquisition of petroleum products in jericans and in large quantity without due license and clearance from the appropriate authorities.

On the 25th of January 2026 as at 5.pm, three persons namely ,Yasir Bello, 20years, Ibrahim Saidu, 20 years And Nasir Yabo, 20 years were arrested within the metropolis after being reported by the residents of inciting nuisance, traffic violation and recklessness, disturbing the civil order in the town.

On the 17th of January 2026 as at 6.30am suspects apprehended were Akilu Isiaka, 29 years, Okashatu Bello, 25 years were found in possession of a suspected stolen motorcycle, they confessed to have acquired it from a businessman at Bello way in Sokoto state who is currently at large. He is suspected to be involved in series of irregularities with buying and selling of motorcycles while Okashatu is his mechanic.

Lastly, on the 24th of January 2026 as at 10.pm a suspect by name Jerry Peter a 31year old male of Zuru LGA in Kebbi state arrested in Gusau with 5 underage children namely Simon Joseph, 12years male, miss Emmanuel, 17 year old female, Rachel Bulus, 8year old female, Marvelous Isiaku 8 years old male and Emmanuel Isiaku a 13 year old male.

Investigation revealed that Jerry was not able to identify the names of the children who were all indigene of Zuru Of Adakarawa tribe when confronted by the authorities. Jerry confessed to be on transit to Kaduna, then to Benin City in Edo State where the children would be delivered to Mummy Bishop through Reverend James Joshua if Assembly Of God Church in the state.

The NSCDC state Commandant, CC Sani Mustapha has directed the immediate transfer of the human trafficking suspects to National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP for further investigation and prosecution.

NSCDC has zero tolerance for criminality and criminal conspiracy, civil nuisance and any unethical vices. Any suspects apprehended shall face thorough investigation and prosecution according to the stipulations of the law.