Osogbo, Osun State — In a dramatic and disturbing turn of events, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, has sealed off an unauthorized home for children with disabilities located in the Ota Efun area of Osogbo. The facility, which had operated without proper registration or oversight, was found to be in a deplorable state, lacking the most basic amenities needed to care for its vulnerable residents.
The operation, which took place on Tuesday, was led by Deputy Commandant of Corps, Abeere Oluwafemi, on behalf of the Osun NSCDC State Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo. Accompanied by the Head of the NSCDC Persons with Disabilities Unit, Deputy Superintendent of Corps, Rita Olaniru, the team acted on a distressing tip-off from concerned members of the public.
What they discovered shocked even seasoned officers.
“Upon arrival, it was evident that the children were malnourished and in a highly compromised state,” Oluwafemi stated at the scene. “The so-called home had no functional facilities, no qualified staff, and it wasn’t registered with any relevant authorities. It was a clear case of abuse and neglect.”
A Haven Turned Nightmare
The home, which was supposed to serve as a sanctuary for children with disabilities, had instead become a place of abandonment and suffering. According to NSCDC’s investigation, many of the children had been left behind by their parents and guardians, some of whom stopped paying for their care and became completely unreachable.
“This is not just negligence; it is abandonment of the worst kind,” said Commandant Sotiyo in a statement released by NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Adeleke Kehinde. “We have made repeated efforts to contact the parents and guardians, but they have refused to return or even respond. This act is both heartbreaking and criminal.”
In response, the command has informed the Osun State Bureau for Persons With Disabilities and other relevant authorities to take immediate action in securing the welfare and future of the affected children.
The Plight of Vulnerable Children
This incident shines a painful spotlight on the growing crisis of unregulated disability care facilities in Nigeria, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities where oversight is often weak or non-existent. Advocacy groups have long warned that many so-called care homes operate below standard — some with good intentions but no resources, others as fronts for exploitation.
Disability rights advocate and community leader, Agbo Christian Obiora, reacting to the incident, noted:
“What happened in Osogbo is a wake-up call. Children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in our society. To allow them to be subjected to such inhumane conditions is unacceptable. The government must enforce the law and also support struggling caregivers doing the right thing.”
NSCDC’s Firm Stand for Inclusion and Protection
Commandant Igbalawole Sotiyo emphasized the NSCDC’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, particularly persons with disabilities, across Osun State.
“Parents and guardians must thoroughly vet facilities before placing their children in the care of others. It is no longer business as usual,” he warned. “We are working closely with the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Bureau for Persons With Disabilities, and other stakeholders to ensure no such facility operates in violation of human dignity and child protection laws.”
He also stressed that the NSCDC remains open to collaborating with responsible organizations to build a safer and more inclusive environment for persons with disabilities in Osun and across Nigeria.
What Happens Next?
As investigations continue, the immediate priority remains the safety and rehabilitation of the children rescued from the home. The Osun State Government, through the Bureau for Persons With Disabilities and the Ministry of Social Welfare, is expected to take custody of the children and facilitate their transition to more secure and adequately equipped facilities.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on relevant authorities to intensify inspections, enforce regulations, and prosecute those found guilty of running unlicensed care homes that endanger the lives of children.
This harrowing episode underscores the urgent need for a national strategy on disability care, one that includes registration, training, monitoring, and support systems for caregivers. Above all, it calls for a renewed societal commitment to the principle that every child — regardless of ability — deserves safety, dignity, and love.
