The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has confirmed that Mr. Christopher Nwoye, the owner of Happy Home Orphanage, a controversial facility in Asaba, Delta State, has surrendered himself to the agency.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP’s Press Officer.
NAPTIP had earlier, on September 17 and 26, declared that Nwoye was evading arrest in connection with alleged trafficking activities linked to the orphanage.
Adekoye revealed that four women from Delta State, who claimed to be mothers of some of the children rescued from the orphanage, are currently being interrogated by the agency.
Nwoye is alleged to have accommodated children in the orphanage who were reportedly stolen from Kano, Gombe, and other northern states.
During a raid on the facility in June, NAPTIP operatives discovered over 70 children, including 15 newborn babies. Eight of these babies were traced to abductions reported in Kano and Gombe States. Some of the children were allegedly purchased by the orphanage and were rescued during the operation.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, stated that with Nwoye now in custody, a full investigation will proceed.
“Mr. Christopher Nwoye surrendered today at NAPTIP Headquarters in Abuja, accompanied by his lawyer and some women,” she said. “Before now, he had ignored multiple invitations from the agency to appear for questioning.”
Adamu-Bello stressed that the operation at Happy Home Orphanage was lawful and carried out under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, which empowers NAPTIP to investigate, rescue victims, and prosecute offenders involved in trafficking, abduction, and related crimes.
She emphasized that Nwoye’s presence is essential to the ongoing investigation, particularly regarding the allegedly stolen children traced to his facility.
The NAPTIP DG also clarified that the rescued children are in protective custody, receiving adequate care while investigations continue. She refuted claims that the children were being forced to adopt another religion.
She further disclosed that the women claiming ownership of the children—who had previously ignored NAPTIP’s invitations—are now in custody and being questioned to verify their claims.
Adamu-Bello added that the investigation would include DNA testing to establish the true parentage of the children before any final decisions are made.