SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN JALINGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, TARABA STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the socio-economic implications of human trafficking in Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted in choosing respondents while in-depth interview and questionnaire were employed as the main instrument of data collection for the three hundred and seventy eights (378) respondents drawn from the study area. The study revealed that extreme poverty, unemployment, lack of education, demand for cheap labour, deception and intimidation among others were the main causes of human trafficking in the study area. The study also found direct relationship between human trafficking and socio-economic implications such as increased rate of school dropouts, decreased productivity, psychological trauma and drug abuse, isolation from family, friends and the society, untaxed profits and undermining of the economy, sexual transmitted infections and human rights abuse as hazardous consequences in the study. The paper recommends poverty reduction, creation of employment opportunities, public awareness creations, stiff legislation and penalties and free and compulsory education among others as measures to curtail the social issue in the study area.