Human Trafficking as Kidnapping by Other Means

Human trafficking and kidnapping have aged connection in Nigeria and many other parts of the world. In some cases, they have become indistinguishable, as both feature forceful seizing and holding of a person against his will. In contemporary Nigeria, human trafficking has emerged as kidnapping by other means, as many are forced or deceived into slavery. The primary reason that makes trafficking and trade in human lucrative in and beyond the country ranges from social to political and economic incentives. The illicit practices have flourished with the trend of poverty, illiteracy, demand for cheap labour, demand for commercial sex, shortage of attention for the rights of the vulnerable groups of people, social factors and cultural practices, conflict and natural disaster, profit generated from this and associated businesses, shortage of safe migration options and availability of victims. This chapter therefore interrogates the nexus between human trafficking and kidnapping in Nigeria, with attention for the causes, manifestation and consequences.