Christopher Ogugua Nwoye, the owner of Happy Home Orphanage, a controversial facility in Asaba, Delta, has surrendered to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Nwoye was said to have accommodated in his orphanage children allegedly stolen from Kano, Gombe and other states in the northern region.
NAPTIP Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye, who disclosed this in a press statement on Thursday, October 9, 2025 in Abuja said the agency has commenced interrogation of Nwoye over the children recently rescued from the orphanage.
Adekoye said that four other women from the state who were laying claim to some of the children rescued from the orphanage were currently being quizzed by the agency.
The NAPTIP press officer said that more than 70 children were discovered in the orphanage during a raid by operatives of the agency in June.
He said that some of the children alleged to have been bought by the orphanage were rescued by the agency during the raid.
He revealed that among the 70 children found in the orphanage were 15 newborn babies, with eight of them rescued and traced to be part of those allegedly stolen from Kano and Gombe.
“Mr Christopher Nwoye gave himself up today when he arrived at the Headquarters of NAPTIP, Abuja, in the company of his lawyer and women,” the statement read.
“He had, before now, turned down all entreaties to report to the agency for investigations. It would be recalled that operatives of the Agency had, a few months ago, rescued from the orphanage, eight children allegedly stolen from Kano State after they were traced to the Home and identified by one of the parents who accompanied the operatives to Asaba.
Addressing newsmen, the Director-General of the agency, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, described as false the insinuation that the children were abducted and converted to another religion, saying that it was an intelligence-driven operation.
“It is important to restate that the rescue operation by NAPTIP operatives at Happy Home Orphanage was not an abduction, as the agency does not engage in such a condemnable act,” she stated.
“The action was a lawful undertaking 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.
“It is very important that Mr Nwoye is in our facility now in connection with the alleged stolen children that were traced to his orphanage and rescued by operatives of NAPTIP. His presence is crucial to the ongoing investigation
“It is also important for stakeholders, including the media, to know that NAPTIP remains neutral in this matter.”
According to her, the children have been rescued and are in a protective shelter, receiving the best care pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The NAPTIP boss clarified that the children were not being forced to embrace another religion, and they would not be forced to do so.
Adamu-Bello said that the women who claimed ownership of the children and refused to respond to the agency’s invitation earlier were also in the agency facility and were being interrogated to ascertain their claims
“I wish to reiterate my earlier position that this case will be thoroughly investigated to uncover the truth, including the conduct of DNA, before a final decision would be taken on the parenthood of the children involved,” the NAPTIP boss added.
