HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN SECURITY IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Human trafficking is globally acknowledged as modern day slavery with miscellaneous negative socio-economic, legal and health implications. Human trafficking is one of the major challenges confronting and endangering human security in the Nigeria States. The prevailing occurrence of human trafficking majorly in Edo State has undermined the existence of human security in the State, particularly with the Nigeria’s porous borders which aided the illegal migration of people from their home states through the Sahara desert to other African and European countries. Based on this background, the study investigated the causes of human trafficking in Edo State; the study investigated the factors responsible for human trafficking in Edo State, assesses the effects of human trafficking on social, political and economic development in Edo State, examines the consequences of human trafficking on human security in Edo State and proffers policy measures that could eradicate and curb human trafficking in the state and Nigeria in general. The study employs mixed method which includes Qualitative and Quantitative research techniques. These were used for data collection in this study. The study concludes that there is need for proactive efforts and strategies to address human trafficking which has undermined and destabilized socio-economic growth and development in Nigeria.