By Muse for BwariTimes
A growing investigation into an alleged child-trafficking network has raised fresh concerns over the movement of children from vulnerable communities in Benue State to orphanage homes in Abuja and Nasarawa State.
At the centre of the Abuja investigation of child-trafficking is Divine Hope Orphanage and Less Privileged Home, located in Kagini, along the Kubwa express before Dei-Dei axis of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to information from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), more than 300 children were allegedly taken from communities in Benue State under the guise of a “Back-to-School” programme before being moved to different locations, including Abuja and Nasarawa. The children were reportedly between one and 13 years old.
The alleged scheme came to light after a father reportedly discovered that his four-year-old son had been handed over to an NGO by his mother-in-law for what was presented as an educational programme. The child was allegedly not returned as expected, prompting a complaint to NAPTIP and subsequent investigations.
According to NAPTIP’s account, the investigation uncovered an alleged network operating through the “Back-to-School Project”, which reportedly targeted vulnerable families in communities affected by insecurity in Benue State. Parents were allegedly promised that their children would receive education, food and accommodation, with some reportedly told they would see their children again after a period of time.
Investigators subsequently alleged that more than 300 children had been handed over through the scheme.
NAPTIP reported that some of the children were taken to orphanage homes in Abuja and Nasarawa, where they were allegedly offered to prospective adopters for between ₦1 million and ₦3 million per child under the guise of adoption. The agency said 26 children had been rescued while efforts continued to trace others. (Punch Newspapers)
26 children reportedly recovered
The investigation also allegedly led authorities to a prominent member of an orphanage operators’ umbrella organisation and founder of the National Council of Child’s Rights Advocates of Nigeria (NACCRAN), whose identity is being withheld in this report.
According to NAPTIP’s reported findings, the suspect was arrested in connection with the alleged trafficking network after 26 children were reportedly found at his residence. The children were subsequently identified as part of the group of more than 300 allegedly taken from Benue.
NAPTIP said the wider investigation involved suspected trafficking and sale of children across Benue, Enugu, Lagos, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory. (Punch Newspapers)
The agency also alleged that some of the children’s identities had been altered, making it more difficult to trace them to their biological families.
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Divine Hope Orphanage enters the investigation
The investigation later extended to Divine Hope Orphanage and Less Privileged Home in Kagini.
The FCT Women Affairs Secretariat announced in January 2026 that the facility had been sealed pending investigation into its activities involving children. According to the authorities, the proprietress, Mrs Grace Ebele Chibuzor, allegedly left the facility with an unspecified number of children and went to an unknown location without notifying the Child Development Department. (Channels Television)
Authorities also said preliminary investigations had linked the orphanage to a separate case involving four siblings allegedly taken from Ado in Nasarawa State to Gwagwalada in the FCT. The children were subsequently reunited with their parents. (The Leader Nigeria)
The FCT authorities further alleged a connection between the orphanage and the NACCRAN official under investigation, saying the relationship was suspected to have facilitated the movement of children from states including Benue and Nasarawa into Abuja for unauthorised fostering and adoption. (The Leader Nigeria)
Questions over the orphanage’s closure
Despite the reported January sealing, residents around the facility told our source they were unaware of the circumstances surrounding the alleged trafficking investigation.
There was also no visible seal or notice on the building at the time of observation, raising questions about whether the January closure had been maintained.
However, subsequent reporting indicates that the FCT Administration resealed the facility in August 2026 after officials reportedly discovered that it had resumed operations without authorisation.
The FCT Women Affairs Secretariat said the orphanage had initially been sealed following information from NAPTIP concerning children allegedly trafficked from Benue to Abuja and admitted into the facility without the required referral from the FCT authorities. (TheStar)
During the August operation, FCT officials, accompanied by police and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, reportedly found children at the facility and shut it again. (News Agency of Nigeria)
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A trail that stretches beyond Abuja
The allegations point to a trafficking network that investigators believe may have operated across several states.
Reports from NAPTIP indicate that children allegedly recruited in Benue were moved to different orphanage facilities in Abuja and Nasarawa, while other locations linked to the investigation included Enugu and Lagos. (Punch Newspapers)
For families who believed they were sending their children to school, the alleged journey ended very differently.
What was presented to some parents as an opportunity for education and care is now at the centre of an investigation into the alleged illegal movement, fostering, adoption and sale of children.
The whereabouts of some of the children allegedly taken through the scheme remain a major concern, with authorities continuing efforts to identify and reunite them with their families.
The allegations against individuals and institutions mentioned in this report remain subject to investigation, and none should be considered guilty unless established by a court of law.
Follow BwariTimes as we bring updates on the ongoing of this case and many more.
Reporter: Muse
