In a decisive move, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed the Priesthood Orphanage in Karonmajigi, taking swift action following the rescue of 23 children, aged 1-14 years, allegedly trafficked from Plateau state.
Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, affirmed the closure, stating, “There is no question, yesterday, with immediate effect, that ‘home’ was sealed, shut down.” She refrained from naming the proprietor but emphasized that an official gazetted presentation of the facts would be made once the material investigation concludes.
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has authorized the recertification and profiling of all orphanages in Abuja, underscoring a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of children in such facilities.
NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) has taken charge of the case, collaborating with the FCT Women’s Secretariat and the Plateau State government to reunite the rescued children with their families. These children, who had endured up to five years of hunger and neglect at the uncertified orphanage, are now the focus of a coordinated effort for their welfare.
Mrs. Caroline Dafur, the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions at the orphanage, recounting, “The place is just so unkempt. I wonder how the children were sleeping in the small room.” She narrated the distressing situation where nine girls and boys were cramped into small rooms with minimal amenities.
Acknowledging the assistance provided by the FCT Women’s Secretariat in evacuating and relocating the children to the Karu Children’s Home, Mrs. Dafur conveyed the displeasure of the Plateau state government towards the orphanage proprietors who had abandoned the children in dire circumstances.
The recertification initiative for orphanages in Abuja underscores a commitment to preventing such incidents and ensuring the welfare of children in care facilities. The collaborative efforts between NAPTIP, the FCT Women’s Secretariat, and state governments aim to rectify the unfortunate conditions these rescued children endured, as they take steps towards reuniting them with their families.
