A 20-year-old girl from Edo State, Iwinosa Okunrobo, who was trafficked to Burkina Faso at the age of 15, has finally been reunited with her family, following a decisive intervention by the Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The emotional reunion took place on Wednesday at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City, where tears of relief and joy were shared among family members, government officials, and members of the public.
Iwinosa’s ordeal came to light after a viral video surfaced on TikTok, in which she pleaded for help, detailing the horrifying conditions she had endured for several years in captivity. She was lured under false promises of a better life and taken out of Nigeria illegally when she was just a teenager.
The video prompted swift action from the Governor’s Office, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady and the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking and Migration, who coordinated efforts to facilitate her safe return from Burkina Faso.
Upon her arrival in Burkina Faso, Iwinosa was reportedly sold into slavery and forced into prostitution, enduring years of exploitation and abuse at the hands of human traffickers. Her case has now become a symbol of resilience, as well as a stark reminder of the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking.
At the reunion ceremony, Governor Okpebholo, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting Edo citizens, especially vulnerable women and children, from trafficking and exploitation.
He highlighted that the incident was a painful reminder of the devastating impact of human trafficking, and emphasized the government’s intention to enforce the provisions of the Edo State Trafficking in Persons Law of 2018. He described the law as a vital legal framework aimed at punishing traffickers and protecting potential victims.
“Our daughter, Okunrobo Iwinosa, now symbolizes countless young Nigerians who were deceived with the promise of greener pastures abroad. His Excellency is determined to ensure that justice is served and that such acts do not go unpunished,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesiri Anani Okpebholo, expressed deep satisfaction at Iwinosa’s successful rescue.
She described her return as a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and assured that the government would provide Iwinosa with comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration support.
She also used the opportunity to advise parents, particularly mothers, against putting excessive burdens on their young children, which often leads them into vulnerable situations.
“Iwinosa’s story is a wake-up call to all of us. It underscores the real and present danger of human trafficking, and the critical need to protect our children—especially girls—from those who seek to exploit them,” she stated.
The mother of the rescued girl, Mrs. Imuetiyan Osabuoyen, 40, expressed profound gratitude to Governor Okpebholo and his team for reuniting her with her daughter. She also denied any involvement or prior knowledge of the trafficking incident, stating that her daughter’s disappearance was a source of deep sorrow for the family for many years.
The Director General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Mr. Lucky Agazuma, who personally led the mission to Burkina Faso to secure Iwinosa’s release, commended the collaborative effort between the state agencies and the Office of the First Lady.
He emphasized the need for families to resist societal pressures that push them to seek dubious migration routes for their children. He also pledged that Iwinosa would undergo thorough rehabilitation and would be integrated back into society with the help of appropriate state resources.
“We will not only help her heal and recover, but also equip her with the skills and support to move forward with dignity and hope,” he concluded.