Three Edo State indigenes trafficked to Burkina Faso have been rescued and repatriated by the Edo State Migration Agency on April 28.
One of the victims, a young woman, reportedly lost her sight following severe abuse inflicted by her traffickers.
The Director General of the agency, Hon. Lucky Agazuma, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the arrival of the victims at the Benin Airport.
Agazuma described the development as both “a happy and a sad day,” given the circumstances surrounding their ordeal.
He said the rescue operation followed an alert from Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Muhammad Danladi, who contacted the Edo State Government over the situation of stranded indigenes. The report was subsequently forwarded to Governor Monday Okpebholo, who ordered immediate intervention.
According to him, one of the victims was deceived and trafficked to Burkina Faso, where he was arrested and detained until the intervention of the state government secured his release.
Agazuma further explained that two young women were lured abroad under the pretext of job opportunities but were instead forced into prostitution upon arrival. Their refusal to comply, he said, led to brutal treatment at the hands of their traffickers.
He revealed that one of the victims suffered severe abuse that ultimately led to loss of sight, adding that the state government has directed immediate medical attention for her condition.
“We have tried to trace her family members in Uselu but to no avail. We are appealing to members of the public who have any information to come forward. We are applying our rehabilitation model to ensure full recovery and reintegration,” he said.
Agazuma also disclosed that intelligence gathered before the operation led to the arrest of one suspect, while investigations into the trafficking network are ongoing.
The rescued victims, identified as Precious, Peace, and Evans, are currently receiving care. Evans recounted that he travelled in January 2026 but was immediately arrested and detained until his situation came to the attention of the Edo State Government.
