A Comparative Study Of Opinions And Perceptions On Factors Affecting Human Trafficking In Imo And Edo States In Nigeria

Abstract  

The phenomenon of human trafficking which is the recruitment, harbouring, transportation or receipt of persons within national and international borders for the purpose of exploitation has been very prevalent in Nigeria.  Therefore, this study carried out a comparative examination of opinions and perceptions on factors affecting human trafficking in Imo and Edo states of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of one thousand, two hundred (1200) respondents was conducted in Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha of Edo state, and Ahiazu-Mbaise and Ehime-Mbano of Imo state. The main instrument for data collection was a uniform set of structured questionnaire schedule, administered by trained research assistants. This was supported by data from in-depth interview with purposively selected victims and individuals, and focus group discussions with victims, adult male, female and youth groups.  The analysis of the data showed that there was a high level of awareness of human trafficking in Edo and Imo states. In Edo state, the perception showed that there was higher level of women trafficking, while in Imo state, there was higher level of child trafficking. It was also established that the traffickers were mostly made up of close relatives and even parents. Indeed the study established that in most cases, there is a nexus between the trafficker and the victim. Also females were found to participate more as traffickers than males, hence there is  a significant relationship(x2 = 89.429, df = 3, p<0.001) between the sex of traffickers male and female and human trafficking in both states.  The age group of persons with the most vulnerability of being trafficked were identified from the study as 15 – 24 years for women, while the age group of children with the most vulnerability of being trafficked were 6 – 15 years. Similar outcome was presented in both Imo and Edo states and it is also statistically significant (P<0.001). It was also found that unemployed and out of school persons were identified as most likely victims of trafficking than employed and in school persons, (P<0.028). Also poverty was confirmed to be significantly related to human trafficking (P<0.0001). Another important factor that was found to be significantly related to human trafficking was families with large number of children (P<0.0001). It was also established that most households in the area have high number of children which may be a positive factor to human trafficking, and this is supported by the culture and tradition of the people. In Edo state, it was found that the traditional system of inheritance propels women to give birth to as many men as possible which leads in most cases to large number of children without a functional mother figure. Also in Imo state, the cultural practice of ‘Ewu-Ukwu’ makes most women to give birth to ten children or more. Furthermore, fathers with no formal education, low income families, and mothers with no formal education, are most likely to give out their children to traffickers.  The victims were also found to go through some traditional rites of bondage to ensure obedience and loyalty to their exploiters, the traffickers. It was concluded that factors like large family size, unemployment, poverty, father with no formal education, mother with no formal education, poor households, and cultural disposition to high number of children are positively related to human trafficking. It was consequently recommended that aggressive awareness campaign should be embarked upon to educate families on the need for small number of children in households, that there should be provision of employment especially for the youths, free education for children, the establishment of effective and functional programmes to alleviate the poor conditions of the individuals and severe punishment for arrested traffickers.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS  

Title page

Dedication

Approval page 

Acknowledgment

Abstract 

Table of contents 

List of tables 

List of figures 

Abbreviation/Acronyms

    

Background to the Study 

Statement of the Problem 

Research Questions 

Objectives of the Study 

significance of the study 

Definition of Concepts 

Literature Review  

Global Review of Human Trafficking 

Human Trafficking and Related Concepts 

Human Trafficking and Migration 

Human Trafficking and Organised Crime 

Human Trafficking and the Concept of Demand and Profit   

Human Trafficking and the Push and Pull Model 

Empirical Literature Review  

Review of Theoretical Literature 

Routine Activities Theory (RAT)

Differential Association Theory 

The Structural and Anomie Theory  

Conflict Theory 

Theoretical Orientation 

Research Hypotheses 

CHAPTER THREE:  RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

Research Design 

Area of Study 

Study Population

Sample Frame

Sample Size 

Sampling Procedure 

Instruments and Methods for Data Collection 

Instrument Administration and Access 

Data Processing and Analyses 

Limitation of the Study 

Socio Demographic Characteristics of Respondents

Characteristics of Households in the Community in Edo and Imo States 

Awareness of Human Trafficking and Prevalence 

Knowledge and Characteristics of Human Traffickers  

Characteristics of Likely Victims and People Must Likely to be Trafficked

Factors Responsible for People Being Victims of Human Trafficking 

Destination of Trafficked persons 

Victim Experience

Possible Solutions to the Problem of Human Trafficking

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND  

Summary of Findings 

 Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents 

 Characteristics of Households in the Community 

 Awareness and Prevalence of human Trafficking  

 Knowledge and Characteristics of Human Trafficking

Characteristics of Likely Victims and people Most Likely to Trafficked

 Factors Responsible for People Being Victims of Human Trafficking

Characteristics of Families that are likely to give out children to others   

Destination of Trafficked Persons

Human Trafficking Routes by Air, Land and Air from Nigeria to Destinations 

Around the World 

Victim Experience

Conclusion 

Recommendation-

REFERENCES   

APPENDICES