The Arrow of God Community Children’s Home in Onitsha has been shut down due to claims of unlawful adoption and child selling, according to Ify Obinabo, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare.
After a report and documentary by Fisayo Soyombo circulated on social media and local television stations, alleging that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare was involved in an illegal adoption of a baby girl alongside one of her registered homes in the state, Obinabo led security personnel to seal off the structure on Wednesday.
While the creator and the staff had fled and were still at large, some 20 children, including a newborn baby, were retrieved from the orphanage operator.
She stated, “Since I assumed office, all applications for court orders of adoption or care go through the designated Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka as against the Nnewi court order presented in the documentary, this is so because the fundamental goal is to preserve the best interest of the child.” She warned other children’s home operators engaged in illegal adoption to desist right away or face the consequences, stating that the state government would not tolerate such behavior.