Families reject rescued trafficking victims in Edo

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State Migration Agency has revealed that many victims of human trafficking rescued and returned to the state face rejection from their families when they come back without financial success.

The Director-General of the agency, Mr Lucky Agazuma, disclosed this at the weekend while addressing journalists after a stakeholders’ dialogue on migration and reintegration. The event, organised by International Returns and Reintegration Assistance, brought together non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and religious leaders.

Agazuma described family rejection as one of the most difficult hurdles confronting rescued victims, noting that some relatives turn them away when they return home without money or material gain.

He said the state government under Governor Monday Okpebholo maintains a zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking and is intensifying efforts to combat the crime.

The agency boss urged communities to encourage safe and lawful migration pathways, warning that irregular migration often exposes victims to inhuman treatment and exploitation.

Providing updates on the agency’s activities, Agazuma said 35 traffickers were convicted in 2025, while more than 393 trafficked persons were rescued during the same period.

He added that the rescued victims included 365 women, 20 children and eight men.