20 children recovered from Anambra’s illegal adoption home

20 children recovered from Anambra’s illegal adoption home

Twenty children have been rescued from an illegal orphanage, Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The recovered children include a one-year-old child and the oldest is 17.

The state government on Wednesday sealed off the facility for engaging in illegal adoption and selling of children.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, led security agents to seal off the place.

This follows an investigative report published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism that exposed the orphanage for allegedly trading babies for cash.

The report published on August 10, 2023, was an outcome of a 19-month investigation conducted by an investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo.

The state commissioner said the founder of the orphanage home, Rev D.C Ogo, did not honour the invitation sent to her.

She also say Reverend Ogo was on the run.

“The children recovered are currently in the care of the state government as necessary steps are underway to trace and reunite them with their different families,” she added.

Obinabo also said, “The ministry is not aware of any adoption with the Arrow of God Orphanage Home and the adoption process never went through the ministry.

“There are irregularities in the said adoption which include the absence of three signatories such as the Commissioner, the Head of Child and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.”

She said the state government would be all out to clamp down on operators of illegal orphanages not following the stipulated standardised operational practices and processes in the state.

20 children recovered from Anambra’s illegal adoption home