SUMMARY
To achieve the objective of this research, this study was divided into four related chapters. To this chapter one introduce the subject matter human trafficking. Following the introductory note, the purpose of the study was examined. The methodology of the study was clearly stated to include interviews and secondary sources. In chapter two, a historical background of human trafficking; the origin, meaning, nature of human trafficking, trajectory of human trafficking in Edo State was presented which include internal trafficking and external trafficking. The chapter also interrogated the effect of human trafficking in Edo state, which include psychological trauma and high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The chapter three, clarify the factor that motivated illegal migration and human trafficking in Benin and causal analyses on poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, ignorance, gender inequality, demand and supply, effect for globalization, absence of effective legislation and enforcement and open borders, effects of human trafficking and its economic impact on social development of Edo State and Nigeria in general. Here summary has proceeded in the subsequent paragraphs of this chapter five, conclusion will be treated. 70 From the study it was discovered that there is little prospect of the menace of the trafficking of Nigeria in the nearest future unless the specters of poverty, unemployment and all the other push and pull factors are adequately addressed. From the study it was discovered that contrary to the picture of paradise painted about Europe and America by the traffickers, the trafficking of women victims were exposed to and indeed, partook of such degrading works as house maids, nannies, hair platters and eventually engaged in prostitution while abroad. Another finding from the study attributes the persistence of the trafficking of women in Nigeria to the country’s porous borders, activities of traffickers and some corrupt embassy officials who issue visas to traffickers and their prey. Also revealed by the study is the fact that the absence of specific legislation which criminalized the trafficking of women in Nigeria prior to 2003 has direct a direct bearing on the prevalence of cases of the trafficking of women in the country. In response to this question, the findings indicated that certain factors are key contributing factors to sex trafficking in the region. Firstly, it was confirmed that poverty is a critical factor in the spread of the practice in the region with inequality helping to make the situation more severe. It was also identified that the availability of illegal trafficking routes made possible by the large population of indigenes who are specialised in supplying girls and women into the sex industries in Europe has also contributed immensely. The fact that these traffickers called ̳madams ‘are linked to a 71 wider cartel within the prostitution market in Europe makes the situation a serious one in the region. Another key factor is the vulnerability of young girls to family pressure which made it very easy for traffickers and parents in many cases to facilitate the trafficking of the girls under a kind of mutual arrangement. Similar to this factor, is the issue concerning the use of voodoo and rituals which largely aid families and traffickers in coercing the victims into becoming trafficked for sex work in Europe. The factor of the use of rituals and voodoo is often given potency by the realities of the African Traditional Religious practices which is prevalent in the region. There is also the factor of the high rate of young people especially girls leaving school in the area. This has made available a large population of potential victims of sex trafficking who are eventually trafficked. Lastly there is also the key factor of official corruption and abdication of official duties by state actors leading to neglect of the huge youth population. This has seriously worsened living conditions for many in the region which has not helped, but contributed to vulnerability. Regarding the subject matter on poverty and illegal migration, aside that poverty reduces their choices, poverty affects perceptions and decision making of victims and their families in the region. Another key finding was that when poverty creates vulnerability it gives potency to parental pressure, peer pressure and other secondary 72 factors to help to promote practices in the area. It was also found that with poverty, people in the region become desperate for survival. The key contribution here is that poverty appears to be a basic collaborative factor that creates the enabling space not only for vulnerability of individual victim but also for sustainability of the practice in communities in the region. Thus, the role poverty plays in increasing the incidence of sex trafficking in the region is basically that of incentivising other factors. When people are poor the choices they can make are narrowed and such choices can further impoverish them or even endanger their lives. Also, when people are poor they can easily become desperate and can also in the process be exposed to deception as is usually the case when victims are deceived by the trafficking cartels. The poor condition which the majority of the people in the region face can be said to have created a situation where many of them now see sex trafficking as an alternative migratory choice.
