Illegal adoption: NAPTIP nabs Anambra ‘baby factory’ founder

The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has apprehended the founder of Arrows of God Community Children’s Home, Anambra State, Rev. D.C. Ogo, for illegal child adoption.

A statement on Wednesday issued by Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said the ministry handed over Ogo to officials of NAPTIP, two months after busting the “baby factory”.

The activities of the orphanage home were busted in August 2023, by security operatives led by the ministry, following a report by an investigative journalist, ‘Fisayo Soyombo, which uncovered some illegal activities of the facility.

The report which made the rounds on social media and local television stations alleged that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare was involved in an illegal adoption of a baby girl alongside one of her registered homes in the state.

Following the development, the orphanage home was sealed and 20 children including a newborn baby, recovered.

The statement partly reads, “The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare has handed over the founder of Arrows of God Community Children’s Home in Nkwelle 33, Rev D.C. Ogo, to men of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for illegal adoption.

“Addressing the founder of the home in her office in Awka, Obinabo lamented over the bad image Reverend Ogo has given the state, despite government’s numerous efforts to rid Anambra State of corrupt adoption practices.

“The commissioner, therefore, warned other community children’s home operators to desist from all forms of illegalities that will bring bad name to the state.

“On why she carried out the adoption process, despite the commissioner’s warning, Reverend Ogo could not come up with any reasonable excuse to the question but rather said that it was her secretary, one Mr Monday, who handled the adoption.

“When she was asked why it took her two months to surface after the sealing of the home, the suspect, Rev Ogo, alleged that she was sick hence couldn’t come when she was summoned.

“It will be recalled that Arrows of God community children’s home Nkwelle 33 has been sealed over illegal adoption where 20 children were recovered from the operator including a newborn.”