In a compassionate move, the Edo State Government has rescued Madam Evbu Iyahen Eguasa, 60, who was found living in deplorable conditions in Benin City.
The elderly woman, who is mentally challenged, has now been admitted into a rehabilitation facility where she will receive proper care, medical attention, and support for reintegration into society.
The rescue operation, carried out on Monday, July 13, 2026, was led by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to protecting vulnerable residents and ensuring that no citizen is abandoned in times of need.
Acting on information received about the woman’s condition, Hon. Abdallah immediately mobilised the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien, alongside officers of the Rehabilitation Services Department, to assess the situation at Madam. Eguasa’s residence along Upper Lawani Street, Benin City.
On arrival, the team discovered a building that had become almost uninhabitable. Neighbours explained that the woman had, over time, destroyed the windows, doors and other fittings in the house, allegedly selling them off before sealing virtually all the openings with mud and sand.
Following a careful search of the premises, the rescue team found Mrs. Eguasa alone inside the building. Although she appeared physically active and communicated fluently in both English and Edo, she repeatedly rained curses on members of the team during the rescue operation.
Residents of the area further disclosed that she had gathered broken blocks from the portions of the building she demolished and used them to barricade the frontage of the house to prevent motorists from parking there.
Speaking during the operation, Hon. Abdallah reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable persons across the state.
She stated that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has the statutory responsibility of protecting persons in vulnerable situations, stressing that Mrs. Eguasa would receive adequate care, psychosocial support and close monitoring in a rehabilitation facility to aid her recovery before being reintegrated into society.
”We cannot abandon our vulnerable citizens. Under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, this administration remains committed to restoring hope and dignity to every Edo resident, especially those who are unable to care for themselves. She will receive the necessary care and rehabilitation, and we will continue to monitor her progress until she is fit to return to society,” the Commissioner said.
Narrating the family’s ordeal, Madam Eguasa’s younger brother, Mr. Lugard Iyahen Eguasa, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Eugenia Abdallah for the timely intervention.
According to him, his sister had travelled abroad several years ago, where she gave birth to a daughter. However, following circumstances he could not explain, she was deported to Nigeria without the child.
He recalled that after arriving in Lagos, she became disoriented and was unable to find her way back to Benin City until an Edo-born police officer found her wandering around the airport. The officer reportedly discovered a diary containing Mr. Eguasa’s telephone number, contacted him, and facilitated her return home.
He disclosed that she was subsequently admitted to the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Benin City, but the family could not sustain her treatment because of the high cost of medication and dwindling financial resources.
Mr. Eguasa further explained that although she owned the two-flat building where she lived, her deteriorating mental condition led to frequent threats against his children, forcing him and his family to relocate for their safety.
He commended the Edo State Government for stepping in at a critical time, describing the intervention as a major relief for the family.
The rescue once again highlights the Okpebholo administration’s people-centred approach to governance, particularly its commitment to protecting the elderly, persons living with mental health conditions and other vulnerable groups through prompt intervention, rehabilitation and social support.
Residents and neighbours who witnessed the operation also praised Hon. Eugenia Abdallah for her swift response and compassionate leadership, noting that the intervention has restored hope that Madam Eguasa can receive the professional care needed for her recovery while reaffirming the Edo State Government’s dedication to promoting the dignity and welfare of every citizen
