BENIN CITY, EDO STATE. In furtherance of The Justice Project (TJP), we paid courtesy visits to four key law enforcement agencies in Edo State, i.e., NAPTIP Benin, UN’s IOM, Edo State Migration Agency (EDMA) and the Nigeria Police Force (Edo State Command) (NPF), between November 3 and 10, 2025 in an effort to strengthen survivor-centered prosecution and improve support systems for survivors of human trafficking. Accompanied by our survivor liaisons (intermediaries between survivors and law enforcement), the visits were to ensure that the representatives of each organization understood how working with liaisons could potentially increase prosecutions of traffickers in Edo.
During our visit to NAPTIP, its representatives reaffirmed the agency’s core protections, including shelter, transportation assistance, identity shielding during court proceedings and government-covered case expenses. We were assured that survivors are also entitled to compensation for trauma and time loss. At IOM, conversations focused on increasing awareness for returnees, as many are unaware of the avenues available to prosecute traffickers. IOM also expressed a strong interest in deeper collaboration and continued referrals to NAPTIP. The Director General of EDMA applauded our survivor-led approach and shared the Agency’s progress, including its employment of survivors and the recent apprehension of a native doctor connected to a trafficking chain. With the NPF Edo State Command, we discussed strengthening survivor-centered policing and enhancing investigative responses. More specifically, the Command affirmed its commitment to the professional handling of trafficking cases, improved coordination with NAPTIP, and better support for survivors who come forward. Together, these engagements reinforce our collective commitment to advancing justice, protection, and empowerment for survivors across Edo State.
The Justice Project is made possible by a grant from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crimes. The opinions and content contained herein are those of Pathfinders and do not necessarily reflect those of the GI-TOC.
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