Anambra State Government Takes Action Against Arrow of God Community Children’s Home Amid Allegations of Unlawful Adoption and Child Trafficking
The Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha has been subjected to closure by the Anambra State Government on Wednesday. The closure follows accusations of engaging in illicit adoption practices and the alleged sale of children.
Ify Obinabo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare in the state, alongside law enforcement agents, conducted the operation to seal off the facility.
This move by the government was prompted by a revelatory investigation published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism. The investigation, conducted over 19 months by journalist Fisayo Soyombo, exposed the orphanage for its purported involvement in the exchange of infants for monetary gain.
As revealed in the report published on August 10, 2023, approximately 20 children, encompassing a newborn, were rescued from the orphanage premises. The ages of the recovered children ranged from one to 17 years old.
The orphanage’s founder, Rev D.C Ogo, and the institution’s staff fled as a result of the government’s action. Commissioner Obinabo disclosed that an invitation was extended to Rev D.C Ogo to provide an explanation at her office in Awka, but the invitation was not honored.
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.
“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.
“Since I assumed office, all application for a court order of adoption or care goes through the designated Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrates’ Court in Awka as against the Nnewi Court order presented in the documentary. This is so because the fundamental goal is to protest the best interest of the child.”
The writer issued a warning to fellow operators of children’s homes who engage in illegal adoption. They were advised to immediately cease their actions or face the consequences. The state government is committed to cracking down on operators who do not adhere to the standardized practices and protocols in place.
“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.
