By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, has sealed off a home for children with disabilities located at Ota-Efun, Osogbo, the state capital.

The action followed an intelligence report indicating that the facility lacked the necessary resources to properly care for the children.

Speaking at the site of the seal-off, the Commandant of the NSCDC, Osun State Command, Igbalawole Sotiyo, who was represented by the Deputy Commandant of the Corps, Abeere Oluwafemi, and accompanied by the Head of the Unit for Persons with Disabilities, Deputy Superintendent of Corps, Rita Olaniru, stated that the command acted based on a tip-off from the public.

A statement issued on by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Kehinde Adeleke, disclosed that, upon arrival, operatives observed that the children were malnourished.

It was also discovered that the home was not registered with the relevant authorities, raising serious concerns about the children’s welfare.

Sotiyo, who ordered the seal-off, revealed that the command contacted the parents and guardians of the children for their pickup, but they refused. A discreet investigation showed that the children had been abandoned by their parents, who had stopped making payments for services and could not be reached.

He further stated that the command had informed the Osun State Bureau for Persons with Disabilities to take appropriate action.

Commandant Sotiyo advised parents and guardians to thoroughly vet care facilities before entrusting their children to them. He added that the NSCDC is working with key stakeholders in the state to ensure the safety and protection of persons with disabilities.