NAPTIP Rejects Delta Orphanage Abduction Allegations; Says It Was a Rescue Operation

opeolumartinSeptember 27, 202503 mins

Abuja, Nigeria – September 27, 2025

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has firmly denied allegations of abduction following its recent operation in Asaba, Delta State, where eight children were removed from an orphanage in June 2025. The agency clarified that the operation was a legally sanctioned rescue mission aimed at combating child trafficking.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, addressed the growing concerns and misinformation circulating on social media, particularly accusations leveled by the orphanage’s proprietor, Christopher Ogugua Nwoye. Bello stressed that the children were not abducted but were rescued as part of a broader investigation linked to reports of missing children from Kano State.

“The operation in Asaba was conducted in full accordance with the law, under our mandate provided by the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015,” Bello stated. “It was a legitimate effort to rescue children believed to be victims or potential victims of trafficking.”
She noted that the proprietor of the orphanage has failed to respond to multiple agency summons, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the orphanage’s operations. According to Bello, NAPTIP’s focus remains on victim protection, thorough investigation, and legal prosecution where warranted.
“Our objective is clear: to rescue, rehabilitate, and reunite these children with their rightful families,” she said. “We are determined to bring the investigation to a conclusive end and ensure justice is served.”

Bello also expressed appreciation to the media for its continued support in amplifying NAPTIP’s work, emphasizing that the agency maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward trafficking and unethical practices in the care of children.
NAPTIP reiterated its unwavering commitment to upholding the rights of vulnerable persons through lawful means, urging the public to disregard unfounded claims and allow the legal process to run its course.