The Ugly Face of Human Trafficking in Nigeria

Scholarship is replete with studies that suggest connections between several criminal forms of exploitation, such as harm and destruction of human dignity, forced labour, and modern slavery. As a complex manifestation of the global economy, human trafficking is an organized crime garbed with violations of human rights, which have serious physical and psychological effects on victims. However, despite many initiatives undertaken over the last two decades to tackle the problem, there seems to be a disproportionate emphasis on the socio-religious dimensions of the phenomenon. Thus, trafficking in persons remained a little explored area in scholarship with many inconsistencies and ambiguities yet to be attended to. Consequently, the major thrust of this chapter is to delve into the after-effect of this repulsive international enterprise on its victims, which paints a picture of a widespread human misery on the victims, their families, and the society.