Socio-Economic Factors And Girl-Child Trafficking In Oju Local Government Area Of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Girl-child trafficking continues to undermine development and human dignity in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where poverty and limited opportunities persist. This study explored the prevalence, socio-economic drivers, and trafficking patterns in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. Guided by Agnew's General Strain Theory (1990), the research employed a cross-sectional design with 400 survey participants and complementary in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that trafficking is deeply entrenched and often disguised as opportunities for education or work. Poverty, joblessness, and large family pressures create the strains that 
traffickers exploit, leaving victims exposed to exploitation, abuse, and social exclusion. Although community leaders, religious actors, and law enforcement agencies attempt to intervene, their efforts are weakened by low awareness, limited resources, and fragile enforcement mechanisms. The study argues that effective prevention requires integrating legal control with socio-economic empowerment. Strengthening education access, promoting livelihood opportunities, and enhancing community surveillance are critical steps for reducing trafficking risks and protecting vulnerable girls in Oju and similar rural areas.