The Menace of Child Trafficking and Abuse in Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

The Children and Young Persons Act, enacted in Nigeria provides a distinction between a child and young person by providing that a ‘child’ means a person under the age of fourteen years, while ‘young’ person means a person who has attained the age of fourteen years and is under the age of seventeen years.

The Collins English Dictionary defines a child as “a child is a human being who is not yet an adult” or “a young person below the age of puberty”.¹

Abuse, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary “is to use wrongly or improperly”, “to hurt with words or actions”, to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way”, or “to speak insultingly, harshly, and unjustly to or about”.² Child abuse has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as all forms of physical or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, negligent treatment, other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health. In our contemporary Nigerian culture, parents tend to use physical discipline to teach a child what is right or wrong. However, a line is crossed if such discipline is done out of anger making a child live in constant fear.

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines trafficking, as “the illegal activity of transporting people from one place to another, usually over a border, for the purpose of forced labour or sexual exploitation’’.³ Child Trafficking can simply be defined as the illegal movement of children from one place to another, usually for the purpose of exploitation. It involves the transportation or harbouring a child under the age of 18 with the intent to exploit them for commercial gain, such as prostitution, forced labour, or the production of child pornography.

Child Trafficking is becoming a well apparent thing in our contemporary society, children are being deceived all in the name of a better life outside the country. Due to the economic hardship each and every one of them face, despite the country’s effort in dealing with such issue people still fall victims into such events. Children who are trafficked from Nigeria to Europe are often subjected to physical and emotional abuse, they may be force to work in sex trade market and all this leads to psychological health problem including malnutrition, physical injury, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Children who are trafficked are more likely to be at risk for developing chronic health conditions later in life, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes and this violates,⁴ where it clearly states the rights a child as to health and health services.

In addition, child trafficking can also lead to children being separated from their families and communities, which can have a devastating impact on their emotional, physical wellbeing which can further impact their development. Child Trafficking is a serious offence as cited in the case of The State v. Etim Udo (2005) 3 SC (pt. 1) 88.

Various cases as proven that child abuse is a threat to our contemporary society, because children who are abused at a tender age are at high risk of developing different mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This might result to future unhealthy relationships and they might struggle with addiction, some might even result to self-harm.

In addition, child abuse can have long term effects on a child’s development, affecting their ability to learn, socialize and form positive attachments. In the case of Blessing Jacob in 2009, a 12-year-old girl who was a victim of rape, she was raped by her uncle and later got pregnant, she was subjected to repeated beatings and emotional abuse by her uncle and other members of her family, who forced her to be in an abusive situation. She eventually took her own life by hanging herself from a tree. Such act violates Section 357 of the Criminal Code Act which states that having a carnal knowledge of a female under the age of 14 with or without her consent is considered rape. This tragic case highlights the threats of child abuse in our society. Although, the case is not documented in any specific legal proceedings. However, the case has been discussed in the media and academic settings but there’s no official case citation.

The above mentioned are all threats to child abuse in our contemporary society. Although, the government have made provisions under the law to protect the dignity of a child,⁵ clearly states the rights to dignity of the child.

It goes without saying that the government alone cannot be tasked to fully eradicate trafficking in the roots of our societies, NGOs, Religious institutions and other forms individual organisations could aid in reaching out not only to the parents but to the children by making them aware of the dangers of the world.

Illiteracy is a well-known ailment of the Nigerian society. As mentioned above, awareness scheme should be a day to day event for those who are not opportune to learn about this in centres of learning. These organisations could bring enlightenment to the lives of the ignorant or those who refuse to learn about the dangers and consequences of trafficking.

In conclusion, child abuse and child trafficking causes detriment to a child’s mental health. I believe by providing awareness to educate both the parents and children on the threats of child abuse and child trafficking, parents will be vigilant so as to not fall victim to those who promise of offering their children a better life outside the country.

Government is playing their role to ensure that child trafficking stops by strengthening our border security personnel’s both on land and water and in establishing various agencies to tackle such acts such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) established in 2003, this agency is tasked with investigating and prosecuting cases of child abuse and trafficking. And the creation of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has not only changed the image of the Country from the worst record but has effectively put the criminal elements on the check.⁶

So we the citizen have to contribute in helping the government fight such act by exposing and reporting any form of child abuse in our respective community to any of the agencies listed or the nearest police station in our respective community. By doing this I strongly believe we can tackle child abuse and child trafficking in Nigeria.

About Author

1. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/child#:~:text=forms%3A%20plural%2 0children-,1.,a%20son%20or%20daughter ⁽¹⁾. https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/abuse#:~:text=%3A%20to%20put%20to%20a%20wrong%20or%20i mproper%20use [↩]
2. https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/abuse#:~:text=%3A%20to%20put%20to%20a%20wrong%20or%20i mproper%20use  [↩]
3. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/trafficking [↩]
4. Section 13 (1) of the Child Right Act (Enforcement & Procedure) 2015 [↩]
5. Section 11 of the Child Right Act (Enforcement and Procedure) 2015 [↩]
6. https://naptip.gov.ng/naptip20-nigeria-has- taken-the-lead-in-the-fight-against-human-trafficking-globally/ [↩]