Author(s): Samson Ayobami Joshua

Abstract: Trafficking in children is a major global challenge confronting the world today. It is a crime that involves gross violations of human rights which threaten children’s survival and development. This highly profitable trade poses a relatively low risk of capture or conviction when compared with trade in drugs and arms. This paper discusses the scourge of child-trafficking in Nigeria and how it thrives, despite several measures designed by the government to tackle the problem. Nigeria is a signatory to many international and regional instruments aimed at checking child-trafficking. Besides, there are municipal laws directed towards the same goal, but with little results. Different factors predispose Nigeria to child trafficking, mainly; poverty, ignorance, greed, peer-pressure, manipulation of religious and cultural beliefs, among others, have been identified as leading causes. This paper explores the problem in Nigeria, the causes, effects and challenges facing attempts to tackle the problem. It proffers appropriate solution. In doing these, the paper carefully x-rayed the strength and weaknesses of the various legal regimes designed to tackle the problem of child-trafficking in Nigeria. The findings of the paper reveal that the causes of the problem are multi-dimensional and the effects are far reaching; and in consequence, the paper further recommends a more expansive view of and approach to the problem. This may require a total overhaul of the legal regimes and its enforcement mechanisms.

Pages: 38-44 | Views: 1616 | Downloads: 1221

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