Border Porosity as Catalyst for Cross-border Crimes in Nigeria: A Focus on Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling

Human trafficking and migrant smuggling constitute a major challenge to the global community. These twin-crimes remain a very serious security threat and are among the major causes of different international organized crimes the world over. As organized crimes, they have killed and destroyed many people, making nations of the world to enact laws prohibiting them. These crimes continue to grow by leaps and bounds because they are very lucrative and the chances of the criminals being arrested and prosecuted are minimal, despite being deadly. In Nigeria, which is a source, transit and destination country combined, these crimes are prevalent as victims are used as prostitutes, drug traffickers, terrorists, child soldiers/laborers and bandits within and outside the country. It is pertinent to note that the traffickers take advantage of Nigeria’s porous borders, population boom and unfavorable economic conditions that aggravate unemployment, underemployment, poverty and insecurity to seek for better opportunities in other countries. However, documentary research was used to gather data from books, electronic journals and institutional reports. Theoretically, failed state theory was adopted to analyze human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Nigeria. The study maintained that the Nigerian state is not free from culpability as it has failed to empower its people by providing basic infrastructure needed to liberate the people from poverty to prosperity despite the return of democracy since 1999, as the elites have continued to squander collective patrimony leaving the country dry. Hence, the only opportunity for the youths is to escape to Europe and America at all cost even without the necessary authorization. The study concluded that human trafficking and migrant smuggling can be reduced in Nigeria if the government rises up to the occasion by investing massively in education and infrastructure which are fundamental for empowerment. Also, the government must create enabling environment for business to thrive, by investing in security of lives and property which remain the bane of development in Nigeria. Again, the government, CSOs and NGOs must intensify campaigns against these crimes by informing the youths on the antics of the criminals and the dangers associated with human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Above all, leadership must be responsible and deliberate, in creating an egalitarian society where social safety nets are provided for the unemployed to earn a living and contribute back to the society.