By Philip Yatai
The Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has resealed Divine Hope Orphanage and Less Privileged Home, Kagini in Kubwa, Abuja, for operating without authorisation.
Dr Idris Attah, Director of Child Development in the secretariat who led the operation in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the orphanage was earlier sealed in January over alleged child trafficking and other welfare concerns.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT officials were accompanied by police officers from FCT Police Command, and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the secretariat.
Attah added that the management of the orphanage decided to reopen and continue operations without authorisation.
“On Jan. 6, we got information from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons about children allegedly trafficked from Benue to Abuja and were admitted in this home without referral from the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat.
“We decided to seal the home and continue our surveillance. To our surprise, yesterday, we got another information that the home is now operational without an official unsealing of the premises.
“When we got here yesterday, we met about 16 children and three nannies,” he said.
The director added that the children were evacuated and relocated to safe space under the care and supervision of the FCT Administration.
He said that the Permanent Secretary of the secretariat, Hajiya Asmau Mukhtar, mandated the Child Development Department to take action and reseal the premises.
He reiterated FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s zero tolerance to child trafficking.
“The FCT Administration has been warning homes and orphanages to make sure that all children are safe, cared for, and developed.
“We are calling on all orphanages and homes to operate within the confines of the law,” he said.
The operator of the orphanage, Mrs Grace Chubuzor, claimed that the FCT Administration gave her licence to operate.
She, however, noted that the administration was not aware of the children she moved to the orphanage from Benue, describing it as a “mistake”.
She explained that the children were brought to her by a man identified as Mr Achibong, who claimed he was working with the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat. (NAN)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi