Anambra Government Seals Orphanage Home Over Illegal Adoption

Category: Nigeria News

The Anambra State Government, on Wednesday, sealed off the Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha over allegations of illegal adoption and selling of children.

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

The government’s decision came after an investigative piece published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism 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.

About 20 children, including a newborn baby, were recovered from the orphanage while the founder and the employees fled.

The ages of the children recovered ranged between one and 17.

The commissioner said the founder of the orphanage home, Rev D.C Ogo, was invited to her office in Awka for an explanation, but she did not honour the invitation.

She 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.