From the Streets of Benin City to Safe Shores
For months, she had been quietly making plans to embark on what many in her community referred to as “the journey”: the irregular migration route through the Sahara Desert and across the Mediterranean Sea that has claimed countless lives and left many others stranded in difficult circumstances.
A trusted acquaintance had approached her with promises of opportunities abroad. The proposal sounded convincing, the dangers were downplayed. Like many young people facing economic challenges, she began to see the journey as her best chance for a better life.
Everything changed when she attended one of our community sensitization sessions. She had not planned to be there; a friend simply encouraged her to come along. During the session, she listened attentively to the experiences of returned migrants who shared the realities of irregular migration. She watched documentaries and visual presentations showing the harsh conditions of the desert crossing, the exploitation many migrants face, the risks of detention, abuse, and even death along the route. The stories and evidence challenged everything she had been told. For the first time, she understood the true cost of the journey and realized that the promises she had received were far from guaranteed.
By the end of the session, she made a life-changing decision: she would not leave. Instead, she chose to remain in her community and explore safer and more sustainable opportunities for her future. Through guidance and referrals provided during the programme, she enrolled in a vocational training programme where she learned a practical skill. The training equipped her with knowledge, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Today, rather than risking her life on a dangerous migration route, she is building a future using the skills she acquired. Her story is a powerful reminder that access to accurate information and viable alternatives can help young people make informed decisions, protect themselves from exploitation, and pursue their aspirations through safer and more sustainable pathways.
Combating Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration in Edo State: JDPC Benin Experience
Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC) Benin, a faith-based organization of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, has worked for over thirty years to address poverty, vulnerability, human trafficking, and irregular migration in Edo State. Located in one of Nigeria's major trafficking source states, JDPC Benin has implemented several interventions to address the root causes of trafficking while promoting safe migration and sustainable livelihoods.
One of its key initiatives was the Campaign on Anti-Human Trafficking and Safe Migration (CAT-SaM), implemented from June to November 2018 in five communities within Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area with support from the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria.
The project focused on preventing trafficking through community awareness and engagement. Recognizing the influence of traditional and religious leaders, JDPC Benin began by conducting advocacy visits to community heads, school authorities, and faith leaders. These consultations revealed a common concern: many young people were embarking on dangerous migration journeys due to misinformation, unemployment, and limited economic opportunities.
The project conducted sensitization activities in schools, markets, motor parks, and community gatherings. Young people were engaged in discussions about migration, trafficking, and associated risks. A major community rally held in Benin City attracted approximately 2,000 participants. By the end of the project, CAT-SaM had directly reached 6,812 people, surpassing its original target of 4,000.
A notable achievement was the establishment of Community Watch Groups in the five target communities. These groups were trained to identify trafficking indicators, report suspicious activities, and continue awareness efforts beyond the project period. Their continued presence strengthened community ownership of anti-trafficking efforts. Building on these achievements, JDPC Benin implemented the Sustainable Measures Against Trafficking in Persons (SMAT-P) project from October 2018 to March 2021 with support from Italian Bishops Conference through Caritas Nigeria. Unlike CAT-SaM, which focused primarily on awareness, SMAT-P addressed the economic factors that make individuals vulnerable to trafficking.
The project provided livelihood grants to 100 households across six communities in Ikpoba-Okha and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas. Beneficiaries received financial support to establish or expand small businesses, helping them build sustainable sources of income.
In addition, 30 youths received vocational training in tailoring, hairdressing, welding, electrical work, mechanics, shoemaking, and makeup artistry. Graduates were equipped with startup tools and support to begin income-generating activities immediately.
The project also supported education by providing back-to-school materials to 122 students and tertiary scholarships to 6 beneficiaries. Anti-human trafficking clubs were established in four secondary schools to promote awareness among students and encourage peer education.
To strengthen community resilience, SMAT-P established Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILCs), enabling members to save, access small loans, and improve household financial stability. Victim support groups were also formed to provide safe spaces for survivors to share experiences, receive support, and contribute to awareness efforts. JDPC Benin's work demonstrated several important lessons. First, community leaders remain essential gatekeepers whose support is critical for successful intervention. Second, community-based reporting structures are often more trusted than formal systems and can improve identification and referral of trafficking cases. Third, awareness alone is insufficient; sustainable anti-trafficking efforts must address unemployment, poverty, and economic vulnerability. Finally, survivors and returnees are powerful advocates whose experiences help communities understand the realities of trafficking and irregular migration.
JDPC Benin further strengthened this approach through the Skills Acquisition Training Programme implemented with Jesuit Refugee Service-Nigeria (JRS) and Salesians of Don Bosco. The programme trained 220 potential and returned migrants in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and tailoring while providing psychosocial support and migration awareness. Participants gained practical skills, improved confidence and greater awareness of safe migration options.
Although trafficking and irregular migration remain significant challenges in Edo State, JDPC Benin continues to work with communities, government agencies, faith institutions, and development partners to promote prevention, protection, rehabilitation, and sustainable livelihoods. Through integrated approaches that combine awareness, economic empowerment, education, and community participation, JDPC Benin continues to help vulnerable individuals build safer and more hopeful futures within their communities.
Support and Contact
If you or someone you know has been affected by human trafficking or irregular migration in Edo State, contact JDPC Benin City: +2347037673192 or frbenedictonwugbenu@gmail.com, jdpcbenibpeace@gmail.com or call the free NAPTIP national hotline: 0810 000 1000.
About the Author
Rev. Fr. Benedict O. Onwugbenu is a Catholic priest and the Executive Director of the Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Benin City, Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He holds a Master of Social Work (Youth Development) from the University of Benin and has led JDPC's anti-trafficking, migration, child protection, and youth empowerment programmes in partnership with IOM, Jesuit Refugee Service, Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Nigeria, and the Italian Bishops Conference.
