NAPTIP arrests Anambra Reverend over alleged ‘baby factory’

Reverend D.C. Ogo, the founder of Arrows of God Community Children’s Home in Anambra State, has been apprehended by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for engaging in illegal child adoption.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, facilitated the handover of Ogo to NAPTIP officials after a two-month investigation into the “baby factory” activities of the orphanage.

This investigation, prompted by an exposé from investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, uncovered illicit practices within the facility. The report gained traction on social media and local TV stations, alleging the involvement of the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in an unlawful adoption of a baby girl from one of its registered homes.

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.”