Some of the rescued children
Thirty children between the ages of two and 15 are now receiving medical care, food, counselling and protection after the Kwara State Government rescued them from an unapproved orphanage and children’s home in Ilorin.
The children—boys and girls who had been living at the facility—were moved to a government-approved shelter following concerns raised over their welfare and living conditions.
The state Commissioner for Social Development, Hajiya Mariam Imam, disclosed this in Ilorin, saying the immediate priority was to help the children regain a sense of safety while authorities determine their individual needs and family backgrounds.
According to her, the rescue operation followed the discovery of irregularities at the facility, prompting the Ministry to intervene to protect the children and ensure that their rights were not compromised.
At the government shelter, the children are undergoing medical screening, nutrition support and psychosocial counselling, while officials are working to document their identities and circumstances.
The Ministry has also begun family tracing and reunification for children who can safely return to their families.
“The intervention is aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of the children, assessing their immediate needs and providing the necessary support for their long-term protection and wellbeing,” Imam said.
For the children, the intervention is expected to mean more than simply moving from one facility to another. Officials say the focus is on giving them access to healthcare, education, emotional support and a stable environment where they can begin to rebuild confidence.
The commissioner said children who cannot be safely reunited with their families would be considered for placement in approved care facilities, subject to proper documentation, assessment and follow-up.
She assured that the government would continue to provide the support required to help the children regain “a sense of safety, belonging and confidence” as the rehabilitation process continues.
Government Tightens Oversight of Children’s Homes
The intervention has also triggered a renewed warning to operators of orphanages, children’s homes and other childcare institutions across Kwara State.
Imam directed all such facilities to obtain proper registration and approval from the Ministry of Social Development.
She further directed approved facilities to prominently display “Approved by the Kwara State Government” on their signposts to enable parents, relatives and members of the public easily identify authorised facilities.
The measure is intended to help families distinguish between approved care institutions and facilities operating outside the state’s regulatory framework.
‘These Children Have Hope’
The Director of Social Work, Alhaji Hamzat Abdulfatah, who participated in the rescue operation, said the intervention had reinforced the importance of cooperation among government agencies and other stakeholders in protecting vulnerable children.
“This intervention has given these children hope and encouraged us to work together. We now understand that if we manage this process properly and follow due process, these children will have the opportunity to live better and more fulfilled lives,” Abdulfatah said.
Caregivers at the approved shelter said the children were already experiencing improved living conditions, including better feeding, healthcare, education and psychosocial support.
The rescued children, according to the caregivers, have expressed optimism about their new environment and the opportunities ahead.
For the Kwara Government, however, the rescue is only the beginning. The longer-term task is to establish the identity and circumstances of each child, reconnect those who can safely return home with their families, and ensure that those requiring alternative care are placed in safe and properly regulated environments.
