JUST IN: NAPTIP Arrests Arrows of God Founder, Rev. D. C. Ogo
Ify Obinabo, the Anambra State commissioner for women and social welfare, says her ministry has apprehended the founder of Arrows of God Orphanage, Rev. D.C. Ogo, and handed her over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), following FIJ’s undercover investigation titled ‘Arrows of God’.
For 19 months, ‘Fisayo Soyombo, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of FIJ, had studied, trailed, investigated and eventually penetrated the orphanage after receiving a tip-off in December 2021 that one baby at Arrows of God cost N1.5 million. He eventually bought his in July 2023 for N2 million.
The investigation uncovered how Arrows of God, one of Nigeria’s biggest orphanages, had been selling babies under the table in exchange for cash. Notably, the orphanage is owned by Rev. Lt. Col. D. C. Ogo, an ordained Minister, a former Principal of the Nigerian Army School of Nursing and Midwifery, a former Chief Matron, and a retired Army Colonel.
After FIJ released the story on Wednesday, August 10, and followed it up with a documentary the following day, NAPTIP took custody of the baby sold to FIJ, while officials of the police and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development arrested a staff of the Ajah headquarters of the orphanage.
WATCH: DOCUMENTARY ARROWS OF GOD
The authorities also sealed all four outlets of the orphanage in Lagos, an action that was soon reciprocated in Anambra State with the sealing off of the Anambra outlet of the orphanage by the state’s Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
On Wednesday, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, Obinabo’s media aide, confirmed in a statement released on the ministry’s Facebook account that Ogo had been arrested and handed over to NAPTIP.
THE FULL STATEMENT
Illegal Adoption : Arrows Of God Children’s Home Founder Handed Over To The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Over Illegal Adoption
Anambra State Women and Social Welfare Commissioner Honourable Ify Obinabo has handed over the founder of Arrows of God Community Children’s Nkwelle 33 Rev D. C Ogo to men of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for illegal adoption.
This was done following an investigative report by one investigative journalist ‘FISAYO SOYOMBO which made rounds 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.
Addressing the founder of the home in her office in Awka, Hon Obinabo lamented over the bad image Rev Ogo has given the state despite governments numerous efforts to rid Anambra state of corrupt adoption practices.
The Women Affairs boss 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, Rev 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 alledged that She was sick hence couldn’t come when she was summoned.
Recall that Arrows of God community children’s home Nkwelle 33 has been sealed by the Honourable Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare over illegal adoption were 20 children was recovered from the operator including a new born