ASSESSING THE INCIDENCE OF CHILDTRAFFICKING IN OUR COMMUNITIES: (A CASE STUDY OF OGBE COMMUNITY IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE)
ABSTRACT
This research work is aimed to examine the influence of child trafficking in our community. Using Ogbe Community Area of Edo State was used as case study.
              Questionnaires were used to gather information from respondent. 100 questionnaires were administered using simple random sampling method. The analysis of the data collected showed that there are growing trend in child trafficking in Ogbe Community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
           This study predicated factors as peer pressure, unemployment, inadequate information, lack of opportunity and the quest for means of survival which encourage trafficking.
          There are some recommendations made in this study on the possible ways of preventing child trafficking in our communities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
1.2 Statement of the Problem    -    -    -    -    -    -    
1.3 Research Questions    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
1.4 Objectives of the Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    
1.5 Significance of Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -
1.6 Definition of Concepts    -    -    -    -    -    -    
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1   Review of Theoretical Literature    -    -    -    -    -    
2.2   Review of Empirical Literature    -    -    -    -    -    
2.3 The Role of Government in Eradicating    -    -    -    -    
2.4   Theoretical Framework    -    -    -    -    -    -    
2.5   Hypothesis    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.0    Research Methodology    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
3.1 Research Design    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
3.2    Population of Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
3.3    Sample Size    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
3.4    Research Instrument/Methods of Collecting    -    -    -    
3.5 Method of Data Analysis    -    -    -    -    -    -    
CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
4.0   Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
4.1    Socio-Demographic Characteristics    -    -    -    -    
4.2    Major Research Issues / Cross Tabulation of Research Variables
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1   Summary-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
5.2     Recommendations    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
5.3 Implications of Findings for Social Work                         
Practice in Nigeria    -    -    -    -    -    -    
5.4 Conclusion-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
Bibliography    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
APPENDIX I    -    -    -    -    -    -    
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
 1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
The trend of trafficking gained prominence round the late nineties but unfortunately at that time many people feared to speak out to denounce this inhuman trade. People who were benefiting directly or indirectly from the trade resisted the move to stop human trafficking despite its unacceptability.
           Trafficking in human beings especially women and girls is not new. Historically it has taken different forms, but in the context of globalization, it has acquired new dimensions. it is a complex multifacted phenomenon involving multiple stakeholders at the institution and commercial level . According to the World Bank Reports (2005), it’s a demand-driven global businesswith a large market for cheap labour and commercial sex confronting often insufficient or unexercised policy framework or trained personnel to prevent it.
      Nigeria has acquired a reputation for being one of the leading African countries in human trafficking with cross border and internal trafficking (U.S State Department of trafficking in persons report 2005). Human is amongst the many problems that the modern world is faced with. It is the second largest organised crime in the world. About 800,000 people are trafficked annually across international borders (U.S Bureau of Public Affairs 2003). Analyst posit that the trade is very profitable, stating  that it generates 7-8billion dollars annually. Fitzgibbon (2003), reported that traffickers pay US$50,000 to them. Decade of military regimes in Nigeria have led to the institutional violation of human right and several political, social and economic crisis. This negatively impacted the development participation, especially of women and children despite international institutions designed to advance their cause.
      The scourge of child trafficking and its attendant problems has been a major concern for all Edo indigenes both at home and in the diasporas. In recent past, Edo state has become notorious for human trafficking activities. Facts revealed that Edo State ranked the highest in this ugly trade. This situation gave a lot of concern to the former Governor of Edo State Adams AliuOshiomole who saw it as a challenge to correct this anomaly and redeem the dignity of womanhood and child right (Idia Renaissance Handbook.2005).
         Nigeria is about the 47th most corrupt country on earth with high level of illiteracy rate. The high level of illiteracy is evidently one of the major causes of poverty; hence the World Bank recommends basic and qualitative education as the easiest and most effective way out. (World Bank report 2005).
        The resultant effect of illiteracy and poverty in the society has had its toll on Edo State (especially Ogbe community, in Oredo Local Government Area) today with thousands of children roaming the streets, towns and villages and falling prey to exploitative child labour.
       To better combat human trafficking in Ogbe and the attendant damaging effects throughout Nigerian society, will require the energy, talents and resources of government, international organizations NGOs and civil society.
          Nigeria ratified the UN protocol to prevent , suppress an punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children in 2001 and passed a national law against trafficking entitled ‘Trafficking in persons  (prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003.’ Despite those initiatives and measures, human trafficking remains a critical problem in Nigeria. There is a continuing need for the further ratification and implementation of international legislation along with the national legal tool currently available to fight against trafficking in human beings. The persistence of harmful cultural practices, the growth of the rich and influence of organised crime and the persistent loss of young women and children to sexual and forced labour exploitation require concerted and constant attention. To better combat human trafficking in Nigeria and the attendant damaging effects throughout Nigerian society will require energy, talents resources of government and international organisations NGOs and civil society. It is in the light of this problem, that this research is deemed necessary. The research intends to study the complex sociological interplay that creates both the trafficker and trafficked. The study posits that contrary to what stakeholders had earlier envisaged human trafficking is not caused by the economic conditions alone. Rather, trafficking will definitely thrive. To this end Benin-City is chosen as a case study for this work.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
       The desire to travel abroad is commonly shared amongst the people of Benin City and Edo State. Parents sell their houses just to send their children to Europe, Asia or America. Most of the media reports (both electronic and print) on human trafficking featured people from Edo state especially those from Benin City. The economic print edition (April, 22nd 2004) reported the case of Kelvin,  a boy from near river Benin who was found in a British river without his limbs or head. This same magazine reported that few people think that trafficking is wrong in Benin. Quoting a 15 year old girl, “everyone respects trafficked people”. Naptip news (vol. 1, March 2006); reported that Nigeria anti-human trafficking law, enacted in 2003, claimed its first casualty in Benin City.
        The menace of child trafficking (form of modern day slavery) has attracted global attention in recent times. According to reports from international media organizations, trafficked children are generally recruited from Africa and transported to Asia, Europe and other parts of the world, mainly as servants, house-helps and hawkers. Unfortunately, Edo State, a one of the six states in the south-south geo political zone of Nigeria is mostly affected in this regard, with about 90% of the victims in Nigeria coming from Edo State (Idia renaissance, 2005).
       Ironically, Edo State is traditionally known to be proud custodians of socio-cultural values.
        This study is aimed at providing answers to general questions in child trafficking, which are:
1.    What is child trafficking?
2.    What are the factors responsible for child trafficking in Ogbe community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State?
3.    What role does government, NGOs and international organisations played in addressing child trafficking?
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
           The specific focus of this research work is to examine the incidence of child trafficking in Ogbe community; hence the following research questions were raised.
i.    What is child trafficking?
ii.    What is the socio-economic status of the traffickers?
iii.    What are the roles of government, NGOs and international organisations in addressing child trafficking?
iv.    Is unemployment responsible for human trafficking?
v.    Is weak cultural norms and values responsible for human trafficking?
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
           The primary objective of this study will be to explore the socio cultural factors responsible for human trafficking. Furthermore, the sub-objective as follows:
•    To identify the pull and push factors in human trafficking
•    To increase general awareness about the tactics of human traffickers
•    To identify the social institutions that aid  human trafficking
•    To have an insight into the incidence of child trafficking
•    To ascertain  the socio-economic status of the traffickers
•    To evaluate the role government, NGOs and international organizations are playing in slamming child trafficking.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
           Human trafficking is one of the many problems in Nigeria that can be traced to the faults and defects in the social structure, since the pattern of the trafficking is almost similar in all parts of the nation, the study will also be relevant to all parts of the nation. It also attempts to look at the human trafficking from different perspectives, therefore it will be of a complimentary value to other works on human trafficking and hopefully throw more light on the plight of trafficked victims. It will help also to draw attention to certain social-cultural forces prevalent in society that will fuel the menace.
         Furthermore it intends to enlighten readers and the public about the tactics of human traffickers. Finallyit will provide q guide to parents, NGOs, schools and other stakeholders in child socialization on how to identify person that are more vulnerable to human trafficking.
1.6 DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
Human trafficking: Includes all acts and attempted acts involved in the recruitment, transportation within or across Nigerian borders, purchases, sale, transfer, receipt or harbouring of q person, involving the use of deception, coercion or debt bondage for the purpose of placing the person, whether for or not involuntary servitude (domestic, sexual or reproductive); in forced or bonded labour or in slavery like condition. (NAPTIP, 2010).
Trafficking:The tricking or luring of people away from their homeland to work under exploitative conditions elsewhere.
Child: any person under eighteen years of age.
Child trafficking: The act or transaction whereby a child is transferred by any person or group of persons to another to another for remuneration or any other consideration.
Incidence: The relative frequency of occurrence of something.
Traffickers: This means q person or entity that intends to commit aid to an act of trafficking (NAPTIP, 2003)
Trafficked person: is a victim of traffickers (NAPTIP, 2003)
NORMS AND VALUES:
A norm is a specific guide which defines acceptable and appropriate behaviour in aparticular situation (Horalambos, 1980:6). Both norms and values specify what people should eat, wear, say, etc. These does and don’ts eventually shape the behaviour of conformists and deviants alike.
LIMITATION:    
The study is limited in its generalization by the following factors sample size due to the time and resources both human and natural to adopt q larger sample size. The study was also limited by the difficulty in getting respondents corporations in filling the questionnaires due to the sensitive nature of the topic under investigation