The Edo State Migration Agency (EDMA) has announced the conviction of 35 human traffickers and the rescue of 393 trafficked victims within Edo State during 2025, underscoring a intensified regional push against the criminal trade. The disclosure was made by the agency’s Director-General, Mr. Lucky Agazuma, following a stakeholders’ dialogue on migration and reintegration held in Benin City.
The dialogue, organized by the International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA), convened non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, and religious leaders to coordinate strategies on migration management. Agazuma provided specific details on the rescued victims, stating that 365 were female, 20 were children, and eight were male. He identified a critical post-rescue challenge as family rejection, explaining that many families expect trafficked relatives to return with financial prosperity. When this does not materialize, victims often face abandonment, hindering their rehabilitation.
Agazuma credited the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo with providing strong backing for antitrafficking operations, citing a state government “zero-tolerance policy” for human trafficking and a commitment tocurbing the crime through sustained operational support. Despite enforcement successes, Agazuma urged communities to champion safe, regular migration pathways to counter the prevalence of irregular migration, which exposes individuals to severe exploitation and inhuman treatment.
The figures represent a significant law enforcement outcome in a Nigerian state frequently identified as a major source and transit region for trafficking. The combined focus on prosecution, victim recovery, and reintegration support reflects a multi-pronged strategy. Stakeholders at the IRARA forum emphasized that sustainable anti-trafficking efforts require not only robust legal action but also community awareness to address root causes and improve victim acceptance. The agency’s call for community-led promotion of legal migration channels highlights the ongoing need for public cooperation to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
