The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested two suspects in separate operations involving alleged human trafficking and illegal medical practice.
The command said Victor Barry, 22, was arrested over the alleged trafficking of a 17-year-old girl from Amoyo, Kwara State, to Mali under the pretext of securing employment for her in Senegal. The victim’s mother reportedly lodged a complaint at the NSCDC Amoyo Division on October 9, 2026, before the case was transferred to the state headquarters in Ilorin.
According to preliminary findings, Barry allegedly met the girl at his shop on October 5, 2026, when she visited to buy noodles. He subsequently offered her an employment opportunity in Senegal, prompting arrangements for her travel abroad.
The suspect reportedly took the girl to Lagos on October 7 and handed her over to an unidentified individual at Mile 2 for onward transportation. He later informed NSCDC operatives that the girl had arrived in Mali on October 12, alleging that an agent identified as Joy had redirected her destination from Senegal to Mali. The suspect’s parents have pledged to cooperate with the command to facilitate the girl’s return to Nigeria within two weeks, while efforts are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident and secure her safe return.
In a separate operation on October 13, 2026, NSCDC operatives arrested Bello Maruf, 56, over alleged illegal medical practice. The command said the suspect was apprehended following intelligence reports that he was operating an unauthorised medical facility and performing abortions without recognised medical qualifications or a valid licence.
During preliminary investigations, Maruf reportedly admitted to performing multiple abortions but failed to produce any certificate or licence authorising him to practise medicine. Medical instruments suspected to have been used in the procedures were also recovered during the operation. The command said he would be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Reacting, the State Commandant, Abbas Mohammed, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives, safeguarding vulnerable persons and ensuring that individuals suspected of criminal activities were brought to justice in accordance with the law. He urged parents and guardians to exercise caution over overseas employment offers made to young people and advised members of the public to report suspected human trafficking, illegal medical practices and other criminal activities to the nearest NSCDC office.
The command assured residents of Kwara State of its continued commitment to public safety and urged them to provide credible and timely information to support its operations.
