Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have begun interrogating the owner of Happy Home Orphanage, Asaba, Delta State, Mr. Christopher Ogugua Nwoye, over the controversial case of eight children rescued from the facility months ago.

SaharaReporters learnt that Mr. Nwoye, who had previously ignored multiple summonses from the anti-human trafficking agency, turned himself in on Thursday at the NAPTIP headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement on Thursday signed by Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP National Press Officer, Nwoye arrived in the company of his lawyer and four women who claimed ownership of some of the children recovered from the orphanage.

The development marks a new phase in the ongoing probe into the alleged trafficking of children traced from Kano to Delta State.

According to NAPTIP, operatives had earlier launched an intelligence-led operation in Asaba, during which eight children allegedly stolen from Kano were rescued after being positively identified by one of their parents, who accompanied investigators to the orphanage.

Addressing journalists to dispel several narratives described as distorted and fabricated, the Director-General of NAPTIP, 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.

She said, “It is important to restate that the rescue operation by operatives of the agency at Happy Home Orphanage was not an abduction, as the agency does not engage in such condemnable actions, but 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.”

Speaking further on the development, Bello maintained that the action of the agency, which culminated in the rescue of the children, was in line with its mandate.

“It is very important that Mr. Christopher is in our facility now in connection with the allegedly stolen children that were traced to his orphanage and rescued by operatives of NAPTIP. His presence is crucial to the ongoing investigation,” Bello said.

“It is also important for stakeholders, including the media, to know that NAPTIP remains neutral in this matter. The children were rescued and are in a protective shelter, receiving the best care pending the conclusion of the investigation. They were never forced to embrace another religion, and they will not be forced to do so.

“The women who claimed ownership of the children, and who had previously refused to respond to our invitation, are also here in our facility. They are being interviewed 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 tests, before a final decision is taken on the parenthood of the children involved,” the NAPTIP boss added.