A 20-year-old girl, Iwinosa Okunrobo, who was trafficked to Burkina Faso when she was 15, reunited with her family on Wednesday evening in Benin, Edo State.
Her return was facilitated by Governor Monday Okpebholo in collaboration with the office of the First Lady and Edo State Migration Agency.
It was learnt that Okunrobo was lured with a promise of greener pastures but was forced into prostitution after being solved into slavery before her rescue and eventual return to Nigeria.
Her plight in the West African country became public through a TikTok video where she pleaded to be rescued.
At the reunion ceremony which took place at the Festival Hall in Government House, Benin, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpeholo, reinstated his government’s determination to ensure that the strict enforcement of the law against human trafficking was enforced.
Represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, the governor said the event was yet another remarkable achievement of his administration towards paying attention to the welfare and security of Edo citizens wherever they are across the globe.
He said, “Our young daughter, Iwinosa Okunrobo, now represents the very many young people who have been unfortunate to be trafficked overseas with the promise of a better life in Europe.
“The governor is committed to pursuing vigorously the implementation of the extant law: Edo state Trafficking in Persons Law 2018 and to enforce its penal provisions of the law. This law is designed to protect vulnerable women and children who have been most affected by the ugly incidence of human trafficking and illegal migration.”
Receiving the trafficked victim, the coordinator, office of the First Lady,
Edesili Anani Okpebholo, expressed delight at the successful rescue and emphasised that Okunrobo’s story would serve as a testament to resilience.
She pledged that the government would provide her with the necessary care and support to help her recover from her ordeal.
She cautioned mothers against putting undue pressure on their young children, thereby thrusting family responsibilities onto their tender shoulders, noting that Iwinosa’s story should serve as a warning, highlighting the dangers of human trafficking and the importance of protecting children from exploitation.
The 40-year-old mother of the rescued girl, Imuetiyan Osabuoyen, expressed gratitude to Okpebholo for bringing her daughter back and denied any involvement or knowledge of how her daughter was trafficked.
The Director General, Edo Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, who had travelled to Burkina Faso to ensure the girl’s safe return to Nigeria, also commended the commitment of the coordinator of the office of the state First Lady and the governor for their support towards her return.
He cautioned parents not to be carried away by societal pressure which he noted had been identified as one of the push factors.
He promised that the victim would be properly rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society.
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Hon. Chief C.O.C Akaolisa gets justice". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
