Sex workers in Kano have urged the organizers of the nationwide protests against hunger to consider engaging in dialogue with the Federal Government.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, they expressed concerns that the ongoing protests have severely impacted social and economic activities, resulting in a significant decline in their clientele and threatening their livelihood.
Monica James, a sex worker operating on France Road, emphasized that dialogue remains the most effective approach to addressing the protesters’ grievances and finding a resolution.
“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 of 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.
Credit: NAN