The Priesthood Orphanage in Karon Majigi Village, Abuja, has been sealed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) after 23 children between the ages of one and 14 were rescued from the facility.
The children, believed to have been trafficked from Plateau State, were found in poor conditions, leading to immediate action by authorities.
Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, shared these updates while officially handing over the rescued children to Mrs. Caroline Dafur, the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Plateau State, in Abuja on Monday.
Benjamins-Laniyi revealed that an investigation is currently being conducted to uncover the truth about the alleged trafficking. She also stated that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has given authorization for the Secretariat to thoroughly profile and recertify orphanages in the nation’s capital.
“The Minister has approved a thorough reprofiling and recertification process for all orphanages in Abuja,” stated Benjamins-Laniyi. “This incident serves as a catalyst for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children under our care.”
The Secretariat is currently working to reunite the rescued children with their families, in collaboration with Dafur to make the process smoother. Surprisingly, it was discovered that some of the children had been living in the unlicensed orphanage since 2019.
Mrs. Dafur highlighted the terrible conditions at the orphanage, stressing the immediate need for help. She shared how three children were able to escape because of the awful living conditions and were found by Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers.
After making a distressing discovery, FRSC officials reported the case to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), which took further action. The children were then taken to Human Rights Radio in Abuja, which prompted a quick response from both the Plateau Government and the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat.
Mrs. Dafur, the mandate secretary, expressed gratitude for the assistance provided and emphasized the importance of working together to protect vulnerable children. The swift evacuation of the children to the Karu Children’s Home is a positive step towards ensuring their safety and well-being.
