Child Trafficking in Nigeria: Meaning, Examples, Causes, Effects, and Penalties

Child trafficking is a serious problem in Nigeria. Millions of children are falling victim to exploitation and forced movement.

We have to talk about it and find lasting solutions because child trafficking robs children of their rights. That is what this article discusses.

Ready? Let’s go.

Meaning of Child Trafficking

In simple terms, child trafficking is when a child is recruited, transported, transferred, or hidden for the purpose of abuse. This is often done via threat, force, deception, or abduction.

Examples of Child Trafficking in Nigeria

Child trafficking occurs in different forms in Nigeria. Here are a few examples:

· Forced labour: Children mostly from poor rural areas are trafficked for forced labour in unregulated industries. Such as agriculture, mining, domestic work, and street hawking.

· Sexual Exploitation: Nigeria is also a source, transit, and destination country for child sexual exploitation. Vulnerable young girls are targeted within the country or sent abroad for forced prostitution, pornography, and other forms of sexual abuse.

· Street Begging: Many children, including those with physical disabilities, are forced into street begging by criminal networks. These children are subjected to harsh living conditions and often endure physical and emotional abuse.

· Organ harvesting: The attempted organ harvesting of a minor by a former Senate president demonstrates the gravity of the situation. Traffickers manipulate children into selling their vitals or kidnap them to harvest them by force.

You may be wondering, what kind of conditions fuel the increase of child trafficking. We will discuss some of them below.

Causes of Child Trafficking in Nigeria

Several factors contribute to the prevalence of child trafficking in Nigeria. These include:

Poverty: Child trafficking thrives in areas where there is widespread poverty and restricted access to education. Families living in poverty easily fall victim to the false promises of traffickers who prey on their desperation for a better life.

Unemployment: Because of high unemployment rates and low-income jobs, vulnerable families are forced to seek alternative means of survival, making them targets of traffickers.

Conflict and Displacement: Nigeria's history of conflict and internal displacement has orphaned or separated countless children from their families. Because they lack proper safety and assistance, these children are especially vulnerable to trafficking.

Corruption and Weak Law Enforcement: In Nigeria, corruption and weak law enforcement contribute to the survival of child trafficking networks. Insufficient resources and lack of capacity hinder efforts to fight this crime effectively.

Credit: Getty images

Effects of Trafficking on Children

Child trafficking has severe and long-lasting effects on the well-being of Nigerian children. Some of these effects include:

Loss of Rights: Trafficked children are denied their basic rights. They are usually subjected to physical and emotional abuse, and deprived of their freedom. Every form of servitude robs them of their dignity.

Physical and Psychological Harm: Trafficked children often suffer physical injuries, malnutrition, and health problems due to harsh working conditions and lack of proper care. They also experience psychological trauma, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They lose trust in people.

Education Disruption: Child trafficking interrupts the education of affected children, denying them the opportunity to develop their minds. Lack of education further perpetuates the cycle of poverty.

Social Stigma: Trafficked children encounter difficulties reintegrating into society. They are stigmatised due to the circumstances of their exploitation. This hinders their ability to rebuild their lives and form healthy relationships.

Penalties for Child Trafficking in Nigeria

Nigeria recognizes the gravity of child trafficking and has implemented legal measures to combat it. The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2003, as amended in 2015, criminalizes child trafficking and prescribes penalties for offenders. The penalties include imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and a fine.

In severe cases, where the offense involves sexual exploitation or trafficking of children with disabilities, the penalty can be as severe as life imprisonment.

Through these laws, Nigeria aims to deter child trafficking and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes. So far, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is doing a good job investigating and prosecuting child traffickers.

However, there is more that can be done.

Practical Solutions

In addition to the legal penalties, it is vital to implement practical solutions to combat child trafficking in Nigeria.

These solutions include:

1. Raising Awareness: Education programmes should be conducted to educate parents, children, and relevant stakeholders about the dangers of child trafficking. This includes community leaders, religious organisations, and local influencers.

If they are taught how to recognise potential trafficking situations, and the significance of reporting, it can help to promote child protection.

2. Improving Laws: It is necessary to review and strengthen existing child trafficking laws. This includes filling any gaps in the legal framework and ensuring that it is in accordance with international standards.

Also, clear standards should be set for law enforcement agencies and related stakeholders to improve their effectiveness in preventing child trafficking.

3. Strengthening International Cooperation: Child trafficking is a transnational issue that requires international collaboration. Nigeria should strengthen its anti-trafficking cooperation with neighbouring countries, regional organisations, and international bodies.

Sharing intelligence, information, and best practises can result in more effective border control, investigation, and prosecution of traffickers.

4. Promoting Socioeconomic Development: It is critical to address the root causes of child trafficking, such as poverty and a lack of economic opportunities.

We can implement socioeconomic development programmes, such as poverty reduction initiatives, vocational training, job creation, and access to quality education. These will empower families and communities, making them less vulnerable to human trafficking.

5. Law Enforcement Strengthening: Improving law enforcement agencies' ability to investigate and prosecute child trafficking cases is vital. This includes specialised training for law enforcement officers, and improved coordination with relevant agencies to ensure thorough and timely investigations.

6. Improving Victim Identification and Assistance: We can design victim identification processes to find and assist trafficked children. This involves training professionals, such as social workers and healthcare providers, to recognize potential trafficking indicators and provide comprehensive care for survivors.

7. Addressing Demand: Efforts should focus on raising awareness among potential customers about the exploitative nature of child trafficking and the penalties. This will contribute to reducing the prevalence of this crime.

8. Monitoring and Evaluation (M/E): It is important to establish M/E systems to assess the effectiveness of anti-trafficking efforts. Regular programme evaluation can help identify areas of improvement. Plus, ensuring that resources are well utilised and interventions are evidence-based.

9. Educating Children: Providing children with knowledge about their rights and personal safety, cannot be overemphasised. School-based programs teaching them how to recognise and report potential trafficking situations can empower children to protect themselves and their friends.

10. Financial Support for NGOs: The government and private sector can provide financial resources, capacity-building programs, and technical support for NGOs. This will strengthen their ability to provide comprehensive services for survivors.

In conclusion, by implementing these practical solutions, Nigeria can make significant progress in combatting child trafficking, protecting vulnerable children, and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.