BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has announced the arrest of a native doctor notorious for administering fear-inducing oaths to victims of human trafficking and irregular migration.
The arrest comes as part of a broader, multi-sectoral strategy unveiled by the administration to tackle the twin challenges of human trafficking and irregular migration—issues that have plagued the state for years.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Fred Itua, revealed in a statement on Monday that the initiative is being spearheaded by the Edo State Migration Agency and focuses on reintegration of returnees and the creation of legal migration pathways.
According to the Director General of the Agency, Hon. Lucky Agazuma, the Okpebholo-led government has adopted a “strategic and human-centered approach” to address the crisis, a commitment he said surpasses that of previous administrations.
The new policy is anchored on two flagship intervention models:
- The S³ Model (See it, Say it, Sort it): This encourages community members to identify and report suspected cases of human trafficking and migration-related crimes.
- The R³ Model (Re-admit, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate): This program provides comprehensive support for returnees, including psychosocial services, vocational training, business startup assistance, and mentorship.
Agazuma emphasized that the agency is working closely with religious institutions, traditional rulers, and international partners. Functional migration desks and field officers have been established in all 18 local government areas of the state to strengthen grassroots outreach and deliver data-driven responses.
A comprehensive safe migration education campaign is also ongoing to counter the widespread belief among youths that life abroad is easier. The campaign offers realistic portrayals of the hardships faced by migrants, aiming to dissuade risky journeys.
In a proactive move to address root causes, the agency has engaged over 20 embassies—especially within the European Union—seeking visa reforms and expanded access to legal migration and employment opportunities.
Among the successes of the new approach is the repatriation and rehabilitation of several young Edo girls trafficked to Libya and Burkina Faso, and notably, the arrest and prosecution of the native doctor who enforced silence among trafficking victims through traditional oaths.
Governor Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s resolve to protect the lives and welfare of all Edo citizens. He stressed that ongoing investments in education, healthcare, and job creation are meant to provide viable alternatives to dangerous migration routes.
“No Edo person must die unjustly,” the Governor affirmed.
