EXPLORING THE PREDISPOSING FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF WOMEN TRAFFICKING FOR LABOUR IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

his study intends to identify the socio-economic and political factors contributing to women trafficking for labour in Jigawa State, Nigeria, as well as explore the consequences of the problem from the experience of victims and their families. Using a mixed-methods design, the study surveyed 390 family members across five endemic LGAs (Dutse, Hadejia, Gumel, Gwiwa, and Babura) and conducted in-depth interviews with 24 participants (victims, traditional/religious leaders, and government officials). Findings reveal alarming systemic failures where poverty, unemployment, and limited education drive trafficking, aggravated by weak governance (poor policies) and corruption. Additionally, victims experienced forced labour, debt bondage, physical/sexual abuse, and severe psychological trauma (PTSD, depression). The study concludes that Jigawa faces a humanitarian crisis requiring urgent, multi-sectoral interventions: economic empowerment, legal reforms, trauma-informed care, and community awareness programs. The recommendations include vocational training, stricter law enforcement, and improved cross-border collaboration to dismantle trafficking networks.