The Director General NAPTIP Abuja 12th February, 2024
Dear Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, Ph.D
RE: ARROWS OF GOD ORPHANAGE: MEDIA TRIAL, CONVICTION, SENTENCE AND INVASION .
During the month of August 2023, we saw on Television and read on Social Media News platforms, with shock, unbelief and amazement news sponsored by one FISAYO SOYOMO alias Mr Runsewe who claims to be an Agent of NAPTIP accusing Arrows of God Orphanage of Selling Babies .
This unwarranted attack on the good reputation of Arrows of God Orphanage and Children’s Home, employing false pretences, forgery, lies and misrepresentation of facts has resulted in;
*subjecting myself and 7 members of staff of ARROWS to humiliation , trauma, shame and detention by NAPTIP Officials;
*resulting in untold hardship, suffering,loss and waste, trauma, confusion and disorientation for many ARROWS Children who are still scattered in various places in Lagos and many as far as we know are still out of School. Defeating the essence of providing a home and a happy, progressive life for the Children.
May we also inform that NAPTIP IS AWARE THAT ARROWS OF GOD ORPHANAGE IS ONE OF THE THREE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED AND APPROVED SHELTERS FOR SOCIAL EXPECTANT MOTHERS IN ANAMBRA STATE.
On the cited case of adoption of Baby Oriade, the documents for her adoption was forwarded to the Anambra Ministry of Women and Children Affairs , complying with normal procedures and there is a Court Order issued with regard to the approval of her adoption .
However,on the discovery that those documents were forged, another Court Order has been issued nullifying the adoption and has also ordered THE RETURN OF BABY ORIADE TO ARROWS OF GOD ORPHANAGE.
It is not the responsibility of Arrows of God to determine whether documents are genuine or forged, we interview and deal with facts presented by adoptive parents,we are generally busy caring for the Children, we do not function as a security Agency. We forward and present documents to the Supervising Ministry.
ARROWS OF GOD ORPHANAGE AND CHILDREN’S HOME HAS NEVER BOUGHT OR SOLD A BABY OR CHILD .
We have submitted all relevant documentation on Arrows of God Orphanage Registration, Licences, Operational Guidelines as obtained from Supervising Ministries in Anambra and Lagos States to your office in Awka.
We have complied with all known Regulations and forwarded our monthly reports to the Supervising Ministries, DSS and SIB.
Considering Arrows of God reputation as a Christian Orphanage that has successfully raised over 1,200 persons as University Graduates, Professionals,Men and Women with families etc, we would have been happy for NAPTIP to conduct a pre invasion investigation and not a post invasion investigation.
We are well known,and our books and records were available for inspection.
This unwarranted anguish on the Children, Staff and our family has lasted 6 months and we request you Madam, to kindly use your good Offices to ask the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development to:
- Unseal Arrows of God Orphanage branches in Aja and Obadore, Lagos, which were sealed on the 11th and 15th of August 2023 respectively,;
- return the Children forcefully removed from the branches of the Orphanage on same day;
- comply with attached Court Order nullifying the adoption of BABY ORIADE who was adopted under false pretences by the FAKED MR RUNSEWE.
The Court has ordered BABY ORIADE ‘s return to ARROWS OF GOD; - release with immediate effect the 3-year old son of Arrows of God cook, who was whisked away with Arrows Children.
NAPTIP Awka branch has investigated this matter and has noted that ARROWS complies with known Guidelines, Procedures, Regulations and Legal Requirements as directed by the Supervising Ministries, and accordingly;
-Anambra State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs released 19 of the 20 Children forcefully taken away from Nkwelle branch of the Orphanage .
We are happy to inform that the released children have resumed their schooling ,they are joyous and full of excitement and relieved to return home to a normal life.
We plead with you and your Office as a kind, fair and just Law Enforcement Agency to take immediate action to ensure restitution.
Yours faithfully,
Reverend Lt Col Chinwe D OGO (rtd)