Orphanage Homes Under Fire As Abia Lawmakers Demand Mandatory Regulation

Isienyi Boniface, the lawmaker representing Ikwuano Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has presented a motion calling on the state government to introduce strict regulations for orphanage homes in a bid to combat child abduction and trafficking.

Speaking during plenary, Boniface emphasized that orphanages are intended to provide care and shelter for vulnerable children—those abandoned or from families unable to care for them. However, he raised concerns that some orphanages in the state have been reportedly involved in illegal activities such as child trafficking, abduction, exploitation, and even emotional abuse.

The lawmaker attributed the rise of so-called “baby factories”—often operating under the guise of orphanages—to the lack of effective regulation. He noted that several facilities fail to conduct background checks on staff and volunteers, potentially exposing children to individuals with questionable intentions.

Boniface advocated for the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs to take charge of regulating orphanages, ensuring accurate records of children and adoptive parents are maintained to safeguard the well-being of the children and enable effective tracking when necessary.

He further urged the ministry to implement and enforce stringent licensing standards for any group seeking to operate an orphanage in the state, warning against the risk of such institutions being used for criminal purposes.

In response, Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa commended Boniface for the timely motion and fully supported the proposals outlined.