The Permanent Secretary in the Niger State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Kaltum Rufa’i, says the government is determined to end the activities of commercial sex workers in the state.
Hajiya Rufa’i said there were state laws against such activity and that the government would investigate the report of their activities with a view to stopping the ugly trend.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hajiya Rufa’i said; “We have identified where the commercial sex workers hang out to do their businesses. As I speak with you now, the government is strategising on how to end it. I am assuring you that we will leave no stone unturned to stop this ugly trend in Niger”.
On July 26, 2022, an agency news report on the activities of commercial sex workers in the state by which drew the attention of the Niger State government.
According to NAN, the activities of the commercial sex workers had been on for more than 15 years and these are seen to constitute a security risk.
In the reports, some of the sex workers told NAN that they charged between N1,000 and N10,000, depending on the kind of service; whether shot-time or all-night, adding that for shot-time, which is about one hour of service, they charge between N1,000 and N3,000, depending on the bargaining power of the client.
It was also gathered that the clients pay between N1,000 and N3,000 for hotel accommodation for shot time and from N5,000 to N8,000 for all-night service.
On the choice of the trade, some of the sex workers admitted venturing into the trade out of the frustration of having no job, coupled with no man to marry them, even as one of them, who gave her name as, Sharon Tanko, said; “I have to use what I have to help myself”.
Similarly, one of the clients who pleaded not to be named, said it was cheaper to patronise a female sex worker and pay her off after service than to keep a female friend.
According to him, when you keep a girlfriend, you must maintain her, but in the case of a sex worker, she will give you the services and you pay her off, no strings attached. – NAN
