Four women were also questioned over rescued children
The owner of Happy Home Orphanage in Asaba, Delta State, Mr. Christopher Ogugua Nwoye has surrendered to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) after weeks of avoiding the agency’s invitation. He is now being interrogated at NAPTIP’s headquarters in Abuja over the rescue of several children from his orphanage.
According to a report by Mediaplusng.com, Mr. Nwoye arrived at NAPTIP’s office on Monday, accompanied by his lawyer and four women who claimed ownership of some of the rescued children. The agency confirmed that all five individuals are being questioned as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged child trafficking and unlawful custody.
It will be recalled that NAPTIP operatives rescued eight children from the Asaba orphanage a few months ago. The children were reportedly traced from Kano State after one of their parents identified them during a joint operation with the agency.
Addressing the media, NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello (OON), dismissed widespread misinformation circulating on social media about the case. She said the operation was a lawful rescue mission, not an abduction, as falsely claimed by some online commentators.
> “The rescue at Happy Home Orphanage was conducted under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, which empowers NAPTIP to investigate, rescue, and prosecute cases of trafficking, abduction, and related offences,” she explained.
Bello reaffirmed that NAPTIP remains neutral in the matter, noting that the rescued children are currently in the agency’s protective custody, receiving proper care and support.
> “Mr. Christopher is now in our facility to assist with investigations into the alleged stolen children traced to his orphanage. The women who claim to be the children’s mothers are also here for questioning. We will conduct a DNA test to establish the true parenthood of the children before making any final decisions,” she added.
The NAPTIP boss assured the public that the agency is committed to uncovering the truth and maintaining transparency throughout the investigation. She also appealed to the media and the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could compromise the process.
Mediaplusng.com reports that this development underscores NAPTIP’s growing efforts to strengthen accountability and protect children from trafficking, exploitation, and unlawful custody in Nigeria.
