Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-02-20 10:06:04
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has taken action by sealing the Priesthood Orphanage in Karon Majigi Village, Abuja, following the rescue of 23 children between the ages of one and 14. These children were believed to have been trafficked from Plateau.
Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary at the Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, disclosed this during the handover of the children to Plateau Commissioner for Women Affairs, Caroline Dafur, in Abuja. Mrs. Benjamins-Laniyi mentioned that investigations were ongoing to uncover the details of the alleged trafficking.
In addition, she revealed that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had authorized the Secretariat to profile and recertify orphanages operating within the nation’s capital. This decision was made in light of the recent incident and is aimed at ensuring the safety and legitimacy of orphanages in the area. Mrs. Benjamins-Laniyi emphasized the importance of thorough reprofiling and recertification of all orphanages in Abuja.
Furthermore, the Secretariat has been collaborating with Mrs. Dafur to facilitate the reunification of the rescued children with their families. Shockingly, it was discovered that some of these children had been in the unlicensed orphanage since 2019, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Mrs. Dafur explained that three of the children managed to escape from the orphanage due to the deplorable conditions in which they were living. These escaped children were eventually found by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps and were reported to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. Subsequently, the children were taken to the Human Rights Radio in Abuja, and the Plateau Government and FCT Women Affairs Secretariat were notified.
Upon reaching the orphanage, it became evident that the living conditions were extremely poor, with children crammed into small rooms with minimal bedding. Mrs. Dafur expressed her dismay at the state of the orphanage and the way the children were being treated. She recounted the appalling sight of nine girls squeezed into a small room with only two mattresses, and a similar situation for the boys. Mrs. Dafur’s description of the conditions underscored the urgent need for intervention and assistance for these vulnerable children.
Grateful for the collaboration and support, Mrs. Dafur expressed her appreciation to the mandate secretary for facilitating the evacuation of the children to the Karu Children’s Home, where they would receive proper care and attention.
The swift actions taken by the FCTA demonstrate the commitment to safeguarding the well-being of children and ensuring that orphanages meet the necessary standards of care and supervision. The recent events have prompted an urgent reassessment of all orphanages in Abuja to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The protection and support of vulnerable children must remain a top priority for all relevant authorities and organizations involved.
Read the original article on Daily Nigerian
