Edo Still a Major Hub for Sexual Exploitation

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised fresh concerns over the persistent rate of sexual exploitation in Edo State, describing the state as a major hotspot for human trafficking activities.

The agency also warned that other forms of trafficking, including labour exploitation and organ harvesting, continue to thrive across Nigeria.

Speaking during a training session for Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) executives from 40 schools in Edo State on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP in Benin, Mr.

Sam Offiah, revealed that traffickers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their operations.

Represented by the Head of NAPTIP’s Public Enlightenment Unit, Mrs. Joy Ojiewa, Offiah explained that traffickers have moved beyond traditional street-level recruitment.

Instead, they now adopt calculated strategies that exploit trust within families and communities.

He identified several deceptive tactics used by traffickers, including fake scholarship offers, fraudulent job opportunities, sextortion, online recruitment schemes, and the operation of so-called “baby factories.”

According to him, human trafficking continues to thrive due to factors such as poverty, ignorance, and the widespread desire for better economic opportunities. He added that traffickers are now deliberately targeting parents as entry points to gain access to children.

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Offiah emphasized that prevention remains the most effective strategy in combating human trafficking, stressing the importance of awareness, alongside protection, prosecution, partnership, and effective policing.

In her remarks, Ms. Daniella Ige, Junior Project Officer for the School Anti-Human Trafficking Education and Advocacy (STEAP) project at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), highlighted the critical role of parents in tackling the menace.

She noted that parents across Edo State are being actively mobilised to take the fight against human trafficking into their homes and communities, positioning them as the first line of defence.

“Traffickers are now targeting families directly with deceptive schemes. We cannot succeed without parents. When they understand these tactics, they can prevent exploitation before it occurs,” she said.

Ige explained that the STEAP project, implemented by ICMPD in collaboration with NAPTIP, the Girls Power Initiative, and the Edo State Ministry of Education, is funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

She added that the initiative is designed to dismantle trafficking networks through grassroots mobilisation and sustained community awareness.

According to her, the programme is already yielding positive results, as PTA executives are expected to drive advocacy efforts within their communities, turning awareness into meaningful action.