Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has unveiled an ambitious and multi-faceted plan to tackle irregular migration and human trafficking, with a strong focus on the rehabilitation and reintegration of returnees and trafficked youths.
In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Owaen Fred Itua said under the leadership of the Edo State Migration Agency, the government is pursuing a coordinated, human-centered approach aimed at fostering safe migration, restoring dignity to victims, and addressing root causes through sustainable development.
Speaking on the state’s policy direction, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Hon. Lucky Agazuma, said no administration in Edo’s history has demonstrated as much urgency, strategic depth, and compassion in addressing the migration crisis as the Okpebholo-led government.
“Governor Okpebholo has prioritized the safety, dignity, and empowerment of Edo people, particularly victims of trafficking and returnees,” Agazuma stated.
To this end, two key policy models have been launched:
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The S³ Model (See it, Say it, Sort it) encourages communities to report trafficking and migration-related crimes.
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The R³ Model (Re-admit, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate) provides psychosocial support, vocational training, business start-up assistance, and long-term integration for returnees.
The Agency operates across all 18 local government areas with migration desks and field officers working in collaboration with traditional rulers, religious institutions, civil society groups, and international development partners to ensure grassroots reach and impact.
In addition to direct interventions, the state has intensified safe migration education campaigns to dispel myths about life abroad, which often lure young people into dangerous journeys. Many, Agazuma noted, are misled by the flashy appearances of returnees without understanding the harsh realities behind their experiences.
The government has also engaged over 20 foreign embassies—particularly within the European Union—to advocate for visa reforms, lower application costs, and improved legal migration pathways.
Significant successes have been recorded under Governor Okpebholo’s administration, including the rescue and return of trafficked Edo girls from Libya and Burkina Faso. One of the high-profile operations involved the repatriation of a 14-year-old girl, made possible through the governor’s direct intervention.
Another landmark achievement was the arrest and imprisonment of a native doctor who had been administering oaths to trafficking victims—breaking a long-standing cycle of fear and silence surrounding ritual coercion.
The Agency has also implemented a robust post-reintegration monitoring system, offering continued mentorship, psychosocial care, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial development—including digital marketing and branding—to returnees.
Collaborations with the private sector are unlocking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding for returnee support, skills training, and job creation.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to all Edo citizens—home and abroad—insisting that no one should have to risk their life in the Sahel or fall into modern slavery. “No Edo person must die unjustly,” the governor said, emphasizing that investments in schools, hospitals, and jobs are meant to improve lives locally.
The state government continues to call on all stakeholders—security agencies, traditional leaders, religious organizations, and civil society—to partner in sustaining this fight against trafficking and irregular migration.
