Nigeria - Good Shepherd Orphanage

The Good Shepherd Orphanage in Lagos was shut down by the government for allegedly engaging in child trafficking and the selling of babies. Eleven arrests were made, and the children, including some pregnant girls, were moved to other state institutions.

In her confessional statement to the police the proprietress of the Good Shepherd Orphanage Home, Pastor Gift John,  allegedly admitted to have been engaged in the burning of babies, but denied doing so for ritual purposes. According to a police source, the woman claimed that she was cremating only the babies who died at her orphanage in mysterious circumstances. She claimed that she did not seek government’s permission for such activities because she was sure that such requests would not have been granted.