Protest: Sex workers lament low patronage

Commercial sex workers in Kano have urged the organizers of the nationwide hunger protests to engage in dialogue with the Federal Government.

Recall that Allnews.ng reported that the protest which began on August 1 had a significant impact on business as shops, stalls, and banks among others were shut down over fear of attack 

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Thursday, they reported that the ongoing protests have severely disrupted social and economic activities, leaving them without clients and struggling to make ends meet.

Monica James, a worker on France Road, emphasized that dialogue is the only viable solution to address the protesters' concerns.

“I have not eaten for two days because of the curfew; our customers are nowhere to be found,” she said.

She urged the organisers to shelve their protests and negotiate with the government to end the demonstrations.

Deborah Iliya, a sex worker on Yoruba Road, who reechoed James’ sentiments, described the situation as horrible, as she has not been able to find customers.

Hannatu Ibrahim, of Weather head area, also called for an end to the protests, joining the growing calls for a return to normalcy.

Caroline James, a sex worker operating from a brothel on Enugu Street in Sabon Gari, said that the infiltration of hoodlums and subsequent violence “spoilt our business.”

She said that she had booked clients who were willing to pay between N30,000 and N40,000, but they were unable to keep their appointments due to the tension and curfew.

A sex worker, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that some of her colleagues were forced to share rooms due to the lack of customers during the protest.

She appealed to the authorities to relax the curfew, stating that it had severely impacted their ability to conduct business.

Moses John, a bar attendant, told NAN that the curfew had severely impacted business activities in Sabon Gari, with hotels and bars hardly selling due to the absence of customers.

Kenneth John, a dealer in Esi Ewu (goat head) on Aitken Road, told NAN that the curfew had negatively impacted business activities in Sabon Gari, lamenting that he had lost several heads of goats due to lack of power supply.