Benin City is making headlines once again, but this time for a powerful movement aimed at eradicating prostitution and human trafficking.
The streets once known for their bustling nightlife and hidden corners of illegal activities are seeing a dramatic shift as authorities, activists, and citizens unite to declare: “No More A S H A W O in Benin!”
For years, Benin City has been at the heart of Nigeria’s human trafficking crisis, with young women lured into prostitution both within the country and abroad.
But recent legal actions are changing the narrative. In February 2025, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) secured a landmark conviction against Fasa Sandra, a notorious trafficker, sentencing her to two years in prison or a ₦250,000 fine for sending young women abroad for sex work.
Her accomplice, Omengor Chinonso, remains on the run, but authorities are closing in fast.
Another high-profile case saw Adesuwa Otabor and her husband, Otabor Idahosa, jailed for five years for attempting to traffic a woman to Dubai for prostitution.
These sentences send a strong message—Benin is no longer a safe haven for traffickers.
While Benin City was once a major export hub for trafficked women, shocking new reports reveal a reverse trend—with girls from Mali now being brought into Nigeria for prostitution.
This alarming shift has intensified the government’s resolve to tighten border security and dismantle underground trafficking networks.
Beyond government efforts, community leaders, religious institutions, and non-governmental organizations are rallying for change.
Youth empowerment programs, skills acquisition workshops, and rehabilitation centers for former sex workers are gaining traction.
Citizens are urged to “Check on your sister hustling in Benin”—a call to action reminding families to protect their loved ones from falling victim to sex work.
Reports suggest that many young women are deceived with promises of jobs abroad, only to be forced into prostitution.
With stricter law enforcement, community engagement, and awareness campaigns, Benin City is pushing for a future free from the grip of human trafficking and prostitution.
The streets are speaking, the movement is growing, and the message is clear: No More A S H A W O in Benin! Will this movement succeed in turning the tide? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Benin City is no longer staying silent.
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