Socio-economic Implications of Child Trafficking In Borno State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Globally, children of school age are bought, sold and transported away from their homes as commodities. Child trafficking is illegal and extremely harmful as trafficked children are exposed to diverse forms of abuse. The general objective of this study was to examine the socioeconomic implications of child trafficking in Borno State, Nigeria. Using purposive and simple random techniques, data for the study were obtained from 92 respondents representing the immigration, police officers, lawyers, road transport workers, journalists and civil servants who deal directly with child traffickers and trafficked children. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The data revealed that trafficked children were obtained from other states, their age range was between five and 10 years and mostly males. It was discovered that force/coercion, trickery and administration of oats were the commonest methods used in child trafficking. Forced labour, prostitution and child soldier were the major purposes for child trafficking while poverty, economic gains, ignorance and insufficient penalties against traffickers were factors enhancing child trafficking in the study area. The study recommended among others investment in human capital, massive public enlightenment campaigns, severe penalties and removal of constraints hindering prosecution of traffickers.