Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, said many orphanages around the country are currently under investigation.
She made this known while responding to questions during a One-Day Community Dialogue and Advocacy on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, organized by the agency for stakeholders in Gwagwalada communities of FCT on Thursday.
She said some orphanages commit a lot of infractions that can be categorized as human trafficking.
“We are investigating a lot of orphanages around the country, NAPTIP is currently prosecuting some of these orphanages.
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“The agency is witnessing a lot with these orphanages. No orphanage has the right to conclude adoption of children.
“NAPTIP comes in when there is an element of human trafficking,” she added.
The NAPTIP boss, therefore, warned orphanages to be careful on their mode of operations, as well as cautioned Nigerians to be careful with adoption of babies from such homes.
She called on Nigerians to follow due process in adoption of babies.
It was reported that the Agency last week arraigned one Clara Chinwe Deborah Ogo, an 83-year-old woman and founder of the renowned Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State.
The arraignment took place at the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Hon. Justice Hauwa Yilwa, for alleged buying and selling of human beings for any purpose.
Clara Ogo, a retired Nigerian Army Lt. Col and a nurse owns the orphanage located at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, with branches in Lagos State.
The Arrow of God Orphanage came under scrutiny in 2023 after an investigative journalist exposed alleged illicit activities related to illegal adoption and sales of babies linked to the orphanage.
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