Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and private security escorts attached to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reportedly clashed on Wednesday, May 21, 2026, at Weather Head Estate in Awka, Anambra State, during an operation to rescue a missing four-year-old child.
Sources said the NSCDC operatives were acting on a petition concerning the child, who was allegedly taken from her nursery school in Awka without the consent of her guardian. Investigators reportedly traced the child to a building within the estate.
According to sources, tension escalated when the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the CBN branch in Awka allegedly confronted the NSCDC operatives and obstructed the rescue mission. The CSO was said to have arrived in a sky-blue Lexus RX 330 SUV and allegedly drove the child away from the scene.
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Residents of the estate said the confrontation caused panic, with both sides reportedly brandishing weapons as the situation threatened to degenerate into violence.
A source said many residents fled and hid to avoid being caught in a possible exchange of gunfire.
The child’s parents were said to be estranged, with the father reportedly caring for the child, leading to suspicions that the mother may have been involved in removing the child from school.
Efforts to reach the Head of Media and Tactical Operations of the NSCDC Anambra Command, Okadigbo Edwin, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as his phone lines were unreachable.
Reports indicated that the NSCDC Anambra Command has written to the CBN branch in Awka over the conduct of the CSO and is demanding an investigation into the incident, insisting its operatives were carrying out legitimate duties.
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