The Lagos State Government, on Monday, shut down an alleged illegal orphanage, Pro Labore Der (labour for God), at Agemowo village, Badagry, and rescued 24 children.

Officials of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development said the existence of the illegal home came to the notice of the research department of the ministry through a distress call which detailed the activities of the home.

While the operator of the home reportedly fled on sighting the state government’s team, children and teenagers in the house were rescued. They included a 4-month old baby and a pregnant 17-year-old girl. .

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Agboola Dabiri, said the state government would not go back on its words to make all illegal homes non-existent. .

The commissioner said 20 of the rescued children were being rehabilitated in government homes across the state. He added that three of the children, who were identified as physically challenged with Down syndrome, were in a hospital, while one was also ill and had been admitted to an undisclosed hospital.