The Nigerian government has said implementation of poverty alleviation programs aimed at enhancing socioeconomic conditions of families can help in combating child trafficking.
Minister of Women Affairs Josephine Anenih said this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 4th Specialized Meeting on Child Trafficking in West and Central Africa organized by the Interpol African Regional Bureau and the Nigeria Police.
She said progress could be recorded in combating child trafficking within the sub-region through advocacy and sensitization programs targeted at rural communities where majority of the people live.
Anenih said the menace of child trafficking in Africa becomes prominent in the last two decades because of the severe economic challenges faced by the continent.
"In this regard, trafficking in children for prostitution and forced labor have been elevated to lucrative business enterprises by cartels," she said.
"Records indicate that trafficking in persons, especially women and children, constitute the third largest profit yielding business behind arms dealing and narcotics," the minister added.