The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday sealed an unregistered facility housing children with disability in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The facility located at the Ota Efun area of the town was sealed for not having appropriate facilities to take care of the children aside from being unregistered with relevant authorities that could monitor the wellbeing of the children.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Osun NSCDC Command, Adeleke Kehinde, the action of the Corps was taken by the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, represented by Deputy Commandant of Corps, Abeere Oluwafemi.
Speaking to journalists at the location of the facility, Oluwafemi, who was also accompanied by the Head of Unit, Persons with Disabilities, Deputy Superintendent of Corps Rita Olaniru, revealed that the command embarked on the seal-off of the facility following a tip-off from the public.
According to him, “Upon arrival, it was evident that the children were malnourished, and operatives discovered the home lacked registration with relevant authorities, raising concerns about the children’s well-being.”
He said the State Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, who directed the seal-off, made it known that the command has reached out to the parents and guardians of the children for their pickup, but they refused
“A discreet investigation revealed that the children’s parents have abandoned them with the caregiver, ceasing payment for services and becoming unreachable when contacted.”
Oluwafemi further stated that that the command has informed the Osun State Bureau for Persons With Disabilities for the necessary action.
Commandant Sotiyo, cautioned parents and guardians to carefully vet care facilities, noting that NSCDC is collaborating with key stakeholders in the state to safeguard persons with disabilities.