THE ROLE OF NAPTIP IN THE CONTROL OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA (2004-2009)

THE ROLE OF NAPTIP IN THE CONTROL OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA (2004-2009)

Abstract:

Human trafficking which entails the trafficking of people especially young and able bodied people for forced labour and prostitution has become a recurrent problem in Nigeria. Despite concerted efforts made by government to eradicate the menace, human trafficking in Nigeria has remained insoluble. The research therefore, seeks to appraise the role of National Agency for the Prohibition of traffic in persons and other related matters (NAPTIP) at curbing human trafficking. This is because NAPTIP is a governmental Agency empowered by law to investigate and prosecute persons involved in human trafficking. The research was carried out within the ambit of structural functional theory. Also the research adopted the primary and secondary method of data collection. Efforts were also made to discuss the historical background of human trafficking and establish a link between the Atlantic slave trade and modern day human trafficking. Also the dynamics of human trafficking i.e. internal and external trafficking was discussed. Efforts were also made to discuss some steps taken by government and international organizations at curbing human trafficking. Furthermore, the research discovered that poverty; effects of globalization, religious manipulation among others are the determinant factors of human trafficking. The research concluded by recommending that human trafficking can only be eradicated through poverty alleviation with much focus on the down trodden rather than focusing on prohibition and prosecution alone. The research has recommended other solutions to human trafficking such as adequate funding of NAPTIP, implementation of child right act, mass enlightenment etc. 8 ABBREVIATIONS AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; CRAGON: Children’s Right Advocacy group of Nigeria CRC: Convention on the right of the child ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States EFCC: Economic and Financial Crime Commission HIV: Human Immunodeficiency virus IDPS: Internally displaced persons ILO: International labour Organisation IOM: International Organisation for migration NACA: National Action Committee on AIDS NAPTIP: National Agency for the prohibition of traffic in person and other related matters NGO: Non governmental Organisation SAP: Structural Adjustment programme UNICEF: United Nations children’s fund UNODC: United Nations Office for drug control USAID: United state agency for international development. WOTCLEF: Women trafficking and child labour eradication foundation,

THE ROLE OF NAPTIP IN THE CONTROL OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA (2004-2009)