AJAH, Nigeria — The famous Arrows of God Orphanage in Ajah, Lagos, has been sealed off by police, following a disturbing revelation of baby sales within its premises.
An administrative staff member of the institution has been taken into custody, as confirmed by sources close to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which published an investigative documentary exposing alleged baby trafficking by the orphanage.
This crackdown was prompted by FIJ’s report which took 19 months to carry out.
The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development took swift action after the report went live, sealing the establishment’s entrance.
A sign on the premises stated, “This premises has been sealed following the violation of the CHILD RIGHTS Law of Lagos State.”
During a visit by FIJ reporters on Saturday, August 12, 2023, a local man named Julius, alleged to be a worker at the Arrows of God Orphanage by a local motorcyclist, denied any affiliations with the institution.
“All I know is that the home has a good record for years,” Julius noted, albeit defensively, suggesting the recent allegations were baseless.
Fathia, an adjacent tailor shop employee and a former student at the Arrows of God Orphanage school, added a personal touch to the story, indicating that she and her siblings had been students there. “I schooled there, and it’s not as lively as before,” she recalled.
Several shop owners across the orphanage claimed ignorance regarding the incident. There’s a prevailing uncertainty among nearby residents concerning the specific agencies that conducted Friday’s raid.
However, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) confirmed their involvement in the action.
An anonymous official from NAPTIP’s Lagos office stated, “Oluchi Onyia is with us,” acknowledging the arrest of a key figure at the orphanage.
The disturbing findings and subsequent shutdown of the orphanage underscore the pressing issues of child trafficking in Nigeria and spotlight the crucial role of investigative journalism in bringing illicit activities to light.
As the story continues to unfold, many will be waiting for further details and hoping for justice.
