Fatima Waziri-Azi, director-general (DG) of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says many orphanages in the country are under investigation.
Waziri-Azi spoke on Thursday during a one-day community dialogue and advocacy on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) organised by the agency for stakeholders in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
She said some orphanages commit a lot of infractions that can be categorised as human trafficking.
“We are investigating a lot of orphanages around the country, NAPTIP is currently prosecuting some of these orphanages,” NAN quoted her as saying.
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“The agency is witnessing a lot with these orphanages. No orphanage has the right to conclude the adoption of children.
“NAPTIP comes in when there is an element of human trafficking.”
The NAPTIP DG warned operators of orphanages to be careful about their mode of operation, adding that Nigerians should avoid adopting babies from such homes.
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In February, the federal capital territory administration (FCTA) sealed the Priesthood Orphanage in Karon Majigi village, Abuja, for the alleged trafficking of 23 children between the ages of one and 14.
The children, who were rescued from the orphanage, were alleged to have been trafficked from Plateau state.
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