A 20-year-old indigene of Edo State, Iwinosa Okunrobo, who had been trafficked out of Nigeria as a teenager, has been successfully brought back and reunited with her family following coordinated efforts by the Edo State Government.
Her return was facilitated after a video posted online brought her case to public attention, prompting swift action from state authorities. The collaborative intervention involved the Office of the First Lady, the state’s Migration Agency, and support from civil society actors.
Okunrobo, who was trafficked at the age of 15 under the pretense of better opportunities abroad, ended up in Burkina Faso where she endured years of exploitation. Officials confirmed that she was coerced into servitude before her eventual rescue and safe return.
At a brief reception held at the Government House in Benin City, state representatives reaffirmed their commitment to protecting citizens from human trafficking and unsafe migration. The governor, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, emphasized the state’s zero-tolerance policy on human trafficking.
“This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers facing many young people deceived by the illusion of a better life abroad,” he stated. “The state government remains committed to fully enforcing existing anti-trafficking laws to deter such activities.”
Mrs. Edesili Anani Okpebholo, speaking on behalf of the Office of the First Lady, described Okunrobo’s return as both a relief and a call to action. She stressed the need for families to remain vigilant and avoid placing undue responsibilities on young children, which often makes them vulnerable to traffickers.
Okunrobo’s mother, Mrs. Imuetiyan Osabuoyen, expressed her profound appreciation to state officials and denied having prior knowledge of her daughter’s departure years ago.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Mr. Lucky Agazuma, who coordinated the retrieval process from Burkina Faso, thanked stakeholders for their unwavering support. He pledged that Okunrobo would receive proper rehabilitation and reintegration support.
Authorities urged the public to remain cautious about unverified travel promises and to report suspected trafficking activities, reaffirming the state’s determination to protect its citizens from exploitation.
