Two Arrested Over Child Trafficking

An orphanage, “Our Lady of Mercy,” in Warri, Delta, has been closed on allegation of trafficking in children.

The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, made this known in a statement issued in Asaba on Thursday.

The statement said a 64-year-old ex-female employee, and a male staff member of the ministry – the“masterminds of the illicit trade in children, have been arrested in connection with the issue.’’

It explained that the orphanage was shut, “because by trafficking in children in its custody, it had contravened the national policy regulating operation of child care centres in the country.’’

The statement, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Steve Megwai, said the ministry acted on a tip off to nab the suspects.

“We got a tip off on child trafficking at the orphanage and an investigation we conducted led us to discover that such business was actually going on,’’ the statement said.

It also said that based on the findings, the government ordered the closure of the orphanage and the relocation of the remaining children to other orphanages in Warri.

The statement added that three children, who were recovered from the suspected traffickers, had been accommodated at the ministry’s orphanage in Asaba.

Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Charles Muka (ASP), said he had yet to be briefed on the development.