Understanding Human Trafficking as a Social Justice Imperative

Abstract

Human trafficking, a pervasive violation of human rights affecting millions 
globally, including vulnerable populations in Nigeria, through cross-border 
exploitation and domestic servitude, perpetuates cycles of inequality, poverty, and gender-based violence that undermine social cohesion and economic development. The aim of this paper is for readers to grasp human trafficking not merely as a criminal issue but as a core social justice imperative demanding doctrinal reform in Nigerian law to protect vulnerable groups equitably. This paper employed the doctrinal research method, which involves the systematic analysis of Nigerian statutes, case law, and constitutional principles on human trafficking to reveal gaps in addressing it as a social justice imperative and propose interpretive reforms for greater equity. This paper found that the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEAA) 2015, according to section 13 of the Act, prohibited all acts of human trafficking, but overlooked root causes like poverty, gender discrimination, and feminised poverty that disproportionately affect women and girls, comprising up to 75% of victims. This paper also found that because of porous border control, which allowed officers to be corrupt, and 
weak inter-agency coordination, it enabled an increase in cross-border syndicates despite NAPTIP efforts. This paper recommended an amendment of the TIPPEAA 2015 to embed social justice principles, mandating purposive interpretation that links trafficking to constitutional rights under Chapter IV(e.g., dignity, non discrimination), with explicit protections for women, children, and PWDs via tailored vulnerability clauses. This paper further recommended incorporating socioeconomic root causes like inequality and feminised poverty into prevention 
strategies.