Arinde-Simeon, T.OAbonyi, S.E2025-05-072025-05-072021-06eferences Adegbile, D.P. (2017). “Policing through an American prism. “The Yale Law Journal, 126 (7), 2222- 2261. Amado, P. D. (2018). “Reinforcement of Regional and International Police and Judicial Cooperation.“unodc.org/easternafrica/speeches/reinforcement-of-regional-andinternational-police-and-judicial-cooperation-for-effective-response-to-the-trafficking-ofchildren-and-young. Amuda- Kannike, A, Aeron, G, Amadi, C.K, Oladapo, G.O & Iluno, L.U. (2017). “Human Trafficking: A global reflection of the challenges in Nigeria.” JL Pol’y and Globalization 61, 192. Babatunde, A. O. (2014). “Human trafficking and trans- national organized crime: Implications for security in Nigeria.” Canadian Journal of peace and conflict Studies, 46 (1), 61- 84. Black, D. (1993). The social structure of rights and wrongs. San Diego: Academic press. Bradford, B & Jackson, J. (2016). “Cooperating with the police as an act of social control: Trust and neighbourhood concerns as predictors of public assistance”. file:///c:users/hp/Documents/cooperating%20%20h. Danladi, B.A. (2013). “Welfare of our children in focus”. In Yusuf, N, Abdullahi, M, Yawe, M, Kanu, N & Ojewusi, S (eds.) Pendant of Rhythm: A selection of Radio Nigeria network news commentaries. Abuja:FRCN. Egede, S.C. (2003). “Fighting Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Human beings: Efforts in West Africa.” A Paper presented on the Trans-Atlantic symposium on dismantling Transnational Illicit Networks held at Lisbon. Enaikele, M.D & Olutayo, A.O. (2011). “Human trafficking in Nigeria: Implications for HIV/AIDS pandemic.” International Journal of Social Anthropology,6 (2), 318- 321. ///c:users/Hp/Documents/articles1379517388-Enaikele%20at. Ezuma, N.N (2003). “Sexuality and Gender Relations: Implications for the Transmission of HIV/AIDS; Lessons from Awka and Agulu, Anambra state.” In Uwakwe, E.E (eds.) Journal of Sociological Sciences, 1 (1). Federal Republic of Nigeria (FGN). 1989. Social Development Policy for Nigeria. Lagos: Government press. Flanagan, W.G. (2010). Urban Sociology: Images and Structure. UK: Rowman and Littlefield publishers. Furgus, R & Melamed, L. (1976). Perception: A Cognitive Stage Approach(2nded). NewYork: Mcgraw Hill Book coy. Gangl, A. (2003). “Procedural Justice Theory and Evaluation of the Law-making Process.” Political Behaviour, 25 (2),119-149. Goliath, J.P (2008). “Human Trafficking: South Africa perspectives.” A paper delivered at the International Association of Women Judges 9thbiannial International Conference held in Panama, March 25- 28. Goudriaan, H, Wittebrood, K & Nieuwbeerta, P (2006). “Neighbourhood Characteristics and Reporting Crime.” British Journal of Criminology 4, 719- 742. Hagan, J & Valerie, P.H (2017). “Procedural Justice Theory and Public Policy: An Exchange.” Annual review of Law and Social Sciences, 13, 1- 3.https://doi.org/10.1146/annualrevlawsocsc1-121416-011426. Special Issue No. 1, June, 2021 Niger Delta Journal of Sociology and Anthropology 105 International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMOAR). 2015.“Human trafficking in Nigeria.” Briefing paper for the special reporter on trafficking in persons especially in women and children. Karlson, J.O (2003). Poverty and Trafficking in Human Being. Sweden: EditaVastoAros. National Agency for Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). 2006. “Blazing the trail in Africa.” NAPTIP News Bulletin. Abuja. Oden, C (2018). “The Causes and Effects of Child Trafficking in Nigeria: A case Study of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state. “ https://www.projecttopic.org/causes-effect-child trafficking-nigeria.htm. Okpara, E (2001). Organizational Psychology.Lagos: Image Books Ltd. Onwuka, C.J.A(ed.) 2002. Introduction to Education: The Nigerian perspectives.Enugu: Ugovin Publishers. Onyuzugbo, E.U (2011). “Child Trafficking, a new Slave Trade: Why it thrives in Africa.” Afro Asia Journal of Social Sciences, 2 (2.3), 8-9. Ovuorie, T & Onadipe, Y (2019). “Locked out- Nigerian’s trafficked Children have never been to School.” www.ipnews.net/2019/10/lockedout-nigeria’s-trafficked-children-never-school/ Soeze, C.I (2008). Celebrating Children’s day in Nigeria. Source, 5 (6), 52- 53. Tyler, T.R (1988). ‘What is procedural Justice: Criteria used by citizens to assess the fairness of legal procedure. Law and society review 22 (1), 103-136. Ubi, P (2003). A complete guide book to Immigration in Nigeria. Ikom: Osmeg press. United Nations(U.N). 2015. Reports of the Secretary General to the Security Council. http://bot.ly. United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 2002. “Information and Communication Technology in Education: A Curriculum for Schools and Programmes of Teachers Development, Division of Higher Education.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/information-and-communication-technologies. United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Fact Sheet. 2002. Child Trafficking in Nigeria, June.ISSN: 2796-9776https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/123456789/16328Abstract Trafficking in persons has become a perennial problem in the contemporary world and also seems to have affected the sustainable development goals of many nations in Sub-Saharan Africa. This modern-day slavery is now a pandemic and a security threat to human existence. The study examined the overall perception of people in Ilorin metropolis of North Central Nigeria on the extent to which public-police cooperation had contributed to combating this heinous crime. The Procedural Justice Theory initiated by Thibaut and Walker in 1975 was used as the theoretical orientation. Equally the study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design with a structured questionnaire and an in-depth interview Guide using 132 respondents (for questionnaire) and 18 participants (for in-depth interview). Data collected were coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test of significance. While In-depth Interview was transcribed and thematically done. Findings of the study reveal that there was a significant relationship between socioeconomic status and perceived view of people in police-public cooperation in combating child trafficking (x2= 16.69, df = 2, p < 0.05). Also, there was a significant relationship between place of residence and perceived view of people on police-public cooperation in combating child trafficking (x 2=22.15, df=2, p<0.05). Findings also reveal that educational attainment is a critical factor that provides the impetus for police-public cooperation in the fight against child trafficking in Ilorin (x= 9.25, df = 2, p < 0.05). In addition, corruption and institutional weaknesses in police organization and government were found to have posed a threat to effective police-public cooperation in the war against child trafficking in Ilorin metropolis. The study, therefore, made some recommendations which include the need for synergy among governmental agencies and stakeholders to provide a better quality of life for Nigerian citizens and total overhauling of the Criminal Justice System. Again, security studies should be incorporated into the curriculum of Nigerian primary and secondary schools and become a general study course in all tertiary institutions.enKeywords: Perceived viewPolicePublic CooperationTraffickingChild TraffickingPerceived View of Police- Public Cooperation in Combating Child Trafficking in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara StateArticle