The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested Rev. D.C. Ogo, the founder of the Arrows of God Community Children’s Home in Anambra State, for illegal child adoption.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, Ogo was handed over to NAPTIP officials by the ministry after their two-month investigation into the “baby factory” activities.
This investigation was initiated in August 2023 after a report by investigative journalist ‘Fisayo Soyombo exposed illegal activities at the facility. The orphanage home was sealed, and 20 children, including a newborn baby, were rescued as a result of these developments.
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.”
