This paper discusses the history and consequences of child trafficking across the Cameroon-Nigeria border. Clandestine trade in goods and services has a long history between Cameroon and Nigeria since the partition of the two countries by the Germans and the British in the late 19th century. Trafficking of children between these countries for various reasons was recorded in the colonial period. It continued after independence and intensified following the world economic recession of the mid-1980s. In spite of international condemnation and measures taken by both governments to combat this inhuman trade in children, it has continued with greater complexity with consequences for both countries. This paper analyzes and reinterprets existing literature on the subject to show that child trafficking between Cameroon and Nigeria has a long history. While it has benefitted those involved in it, it has debased the children involved and created other associated problems for the departing and receiving communities. Cameroon and Nigeria serve as countries of departure, destination and also as transit for children being trafficked to other parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Latin America.
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Keywords: Child trafficking, Cameroon-Nigeria Border, Departure, Destination,
Transit