Abstract

This study examines the causes and effects of human trafficking in Benue State. A mixed-methods approach has been adopted for the study. The findings from this research show that human trafficking is a significant socio-economic challenge in Benue State, with many victims being lured into trafficking through fake promises of employment and education. The study has identified poverty, lack of proper education, and unemployment as major factors contributing to human trafficking in Benue State. The effects of human trafficking identified in the study include physical and emotional abuse, sexual exploitation, and forced labour. The study further recognizes human trafficking as a form of contemporary slavery with a range of socio economic ramifications. The study concludes that with the associated effects and implications on the nation’s economy and society, human trafficking has taken on complicated dimensions and grown elusive. Therefore, there is the need to build coordinated and well-articulated initiatives such as policy measures, ant-human trafficking campaign, and stringent penalties for those who engage in trafficking, among others. This can contribute significantly in fighting human trafficking phenomenon in Benue State particularly and Nigeria generally.

Keywords: Traffic, Human Trafficking, Slavery, Modern day Slavery, and Benue State