1.0   INTRODUCTION:

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Modern slavery has become so rampant in Africa and in the world today. Thus both are perceived as modern forms of slavery which impinge on the general well-being of boys, men, women and girls in particular. Taneem Saeed (2015) asserts that “although it has been 200 years since slavery was officially abolished, there are millions of people across the world who are still subject to slave-like conditions.

Trafficking is the biggest and fastest means by which people are exploited and forced in to slavery”. Currently, sex slavery and human trafficking are among the most lucrative and fastest-growing sources of income for some girls and secretly organized criminal organizations all over the world.

Women can also be trafficked to be “wives”, and girls can be sold as child brides. Children can also be trafficked for use in ritual sacrifice or as child soldiers”. Generally, girls‟ trafficking for sexual exploitation is still considered profitable in Africa since existing punishments are relatively lenient compared to trafficking other materials such as drugs, arms and other explosives.

Human trafficking or sex slavery is a very complex phenomenon. Every cultural milieu is directly and indirectly affected. Oftentimes, girls from less developed countries in Africa are trafficked into developed and industrialized nations such as Italy, Spain, United States, UK and others for different purposes. Osita Agbu (2003:29) views “human trafficking as an act of carrying men, women and children from their natural homes or habitation to foreign places where they may not be able to trace their way back home”. Agbu (2003:1) further explains that: Human trafficking tends to be systematic in its occurrence especially that its span increases as the globalization process intensifies. Though previously in existence in forms such as prostitution, child labour and domestic servitude. Today, contemporary human trafficking is an organized business just as the transatlantic slave trade was with various linkages spread around the globe.

Today, not only children and women are trafficked; young boys seeking greener pastures abroad also fall prey to this evil. It can safely be argued that in this age of jet-planes, cellular phone, and the Internet, there are faster means of dealing in human commodities than before. There is little doubt that globalization has created inequalities and inequities resulting in the migration of the poor to the rich regions of the world.

However, there are socioeconomic, sociopolitical, cultural, historical, and environmental circumstances that encourage girls to become victims of sex slavery and trafficking such as poverty, excessive materialism, lack of good parental background, peer group influence, oppressive cultural traditions and quest for freedom. These social issues or problems have eaten deep into the mentality of the common people in society to the extent that their moral conscience and behaviours are deeply affected.

This is to say that as a result of economic hardship, many people have descended too low by engaging in sex slavery or human trafficking for one reason or the other ; thus having little or no control over their lives, emotions or experiences. Hence, their movements, bodies, aspirations, experiences and emotions are controlled by others.

Jones et al(2011) explain that “Sexual slavery or servitude attaches the right of ownership over one or more individuals with the purpose of forcing them to engage in sexual activities such as forced prostitution/labour, forced marriage, and sex trafficking”. In essence, sexual slavery is seen as a form of enslavement which includes limitations on an individual's freedom, and choice of deciding issues relating to her sexual experiences.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

Modern slavery as a 21st century trend poses a great danger to all societies. Girls who fall victims to human trafficking are most times hoodwinked into it by men or women who offer financial or other forms of help to them. However, after being trafficked, their experiences are usually horrendous and life threatening leaving them broken, hurt and fearful.

Their dehumanizing experiences also hamper their emotional stability as they recoil and yearn for routes of escape. One of the demeaning challenges of human trafficking could be stigmatization; this is capable of affecting the mental state of an individual. It can also push victims to commit suicide, resort to substance abuse or join bad gangs.

Finally, several research has been carried out on the modern-day slavery: a reading of two contemporary Nigerian fiction writers but not even a single research has been carried out on the impression of modern slavery in recent Nigeria fiction; Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s trafficked in context.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

        The main aim of the study is to determine the impression of modern slavery in recent Nigeria fiction; Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s trafficked in context. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. to determine the effect of modern slavery in recent Nigeria as seen in Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s Trafficked.
2. to determine the causative factors of modern slavery as seen in  Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s Trafficked.
3. to determine the extent to which modern slavery affects the Nigeria citizen.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the effect of modern slavery in recent Nigeria as seen in Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s Trafficked?
2. What are the causative factors of modern slavery as seen in Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s Trafficked?
3. What is the extent to which modern slavery affects the Nigeria citizen?
4. What are the possible solutions to the problems?

1.5   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        The study on the impression of modern slavery in recent Nigeria fiction will be of immense to the entire Nigeria in the sense that it will through Akachi Adimorah-Ezeigbo’s novel, Trafficked is able to skillfully bring to the attention of readers various social issues that can lead to human trafficking and the dehumanization of the female gender by both men and women. The novel also presents the need for girls to be aware, educated and enlightened about the dangers of human trafficking and the processes involved in pinning girls down. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.

1.6   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

        The study on the impression of modern slavery in recent Nigeria is limited to Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s trafficked in context.

1.7   LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Impression      An idea or opinion of what something or someone is like.

Modern Slavery      Modern slavery refers to situations where one person has taken away another person's freedom – their freedom to control their body, their freedom to choose to refuse certain work or to stop working

Fiction    Literature in the form of prose, especially novels, that describes imaginary events and people.

Trafficked       The act of buying or selling people