The rate at which child trafficing is increasing daily in Nigeria is quite alarming. This trend paints an ugly picture on the already battered image of our country. It has become a life threathening ailment. For instance, the truck load of children caught with a woman recently. These children were packed in that rruck like sardines in a can. Very dehumanising! Another example is the orphanage in Lagos that breeds children for the purpose of selling them to the highest bidder.

A lot of reasons had been adduced for this pathetic trend that has a debilitating effect on manpower development and economic output. One of such reasons experts had identified, is the craze to get rich fast. Oftentimes, people who engage in child trafficing do so for personal economic empowerment, ritualistic purposes and slavish child labour. It must be noted here in passing that child trafficing leads to child labour and it subsequent twin sister child abuse. A merchant that deals in this type of trade does so to gain financially.

Secondly, greed to acquire a certain level of occultic powers make people engage in it. They use it to fortify themselves. Thirdly, mention should be made of the present unemployment and economic hardship that had made the minds of people to resort to evil without their conscience.

The efforts of some NGOs in Nigeria should be commended. Hajia Titi Abubakar, the wife of the vice president had initiated a frontal war against child traffickers. It was through her that the methodology of their operation was made public. In spite of what had been accomplished so far, much more need to be done to totally eradicate this menace.

Aggressive enlightenment program should be launched in the media to further highlight the dangers associated with this evil.

Finally, the Authorities vested with the power of enforcement should not treat this barons with kids gloves, rather they should be punished and severally dealt with. When this is done, it would serve as a deterent to those who are intending to engage in this illicit act.

(c)Emeka Chike Nwogu~April, 2005.