THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AMONG PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE

Abstract

Human trafficking remains a pervasive and an issue of great concerning worldwide, affecting millions of individuals each year. While its root causes are complex and multifaceted, socioeconomic and socio-cultural factors have been identified as key players in determining whatever happens within the human environment. This study therefore examines the influence of socio-economic and social cultural factors on human trafficking among the people of Ondo State, Nigeria. The study is guided by four research questions and four hypotheses while several relevant literature were reviewed. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design type, correlation studies and ex-post facto research design. The population of the study comprises all people of age between 12 to 60 years old in Akure South and Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The sample for the study comprises 400 respondents who were selected through a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a self-constructed questionnaire titled 'Human Trafficking Questionnaire (HTQ)'. Out of the 400 questionnaire administered, 390 dully completed copies were retrieved. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that, poverty contribute greatly to the incidence of human trafficking, supported by the following figures; X 2 = 22.27> 14.067at 0.05); Also, sociocultural factors significantly influences the incidence of human trafficking as revealed by the following figures; X2 = 59.29> 19.49 at 0.05). Furthermore, Economic opportunities in terms of level of education significantly influences the incidence of human trafficking as shown by the following figures; X 2 = 35.27> 19.49 at 0.05).Based on the above findings, it is concluded that social-economic and socio-cultural factors influence the incidence of human trafficking in Ondo State, therefore, the following recommendations were made; security and law enforcement agency should better empowered to prosecute offenders; there is need for better enlightenment by the government and non-governmental organizations on the danger of
human trafficking; easy access to education should be given priority by government; there must be provision for adequate sanctions and punishment for perpetrators.