Commercial sex workers in Kano State have made a heartfelt appeal to the organizers of the ongoing nationwide hunger protests, urging them to engage in dialogue with the Federal Government.
The protests, which have paralyzed socio-economic activities across the state, have left these workers without customers and struggling to make ends meet.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, August 8, 2024, Monica James, who operates on France Road, expressed the dire situation faced by many in her line of work. “I have not eaten for two days because of the curfew; our customers are nowhere to be found,” James lamented.
She emphasized that dialogue is the only viable option to address the grievances of the protesters and restore normalcy.
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Deborah Iliya, another sex worker based on Yoruba Road, echoed James’ concerns, describing the current situation as “horrible.” She reported that the lack of customers has severely impacted her ability to sustain herself.
Similarly, Hannatu Ibrahim from the Weatherhead area called for an immediate end to the protests, joining the growing voices in favor of a return to normal life.
Caroline James, who operates from a brothel on Enugu Street in Sabon Gari, noted that the infiltration of hoodlums and the subsequent violence had further disrupted their business. “I 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,” she said, highlighting the financial losses suffered due to the unrest.
Another sex worker, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that the scarcity of customers had forced some of her colleagues to share rooms, further straining their already challenging situation. She pleaded with the authorities to relax the curfew, as it has severely restricted their ability to work.
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The impact of the protests extends beyond the sex work industry. Moses John, a bar attendant in Sabon Gari, reported that business activities in the area had come to a near standstill, with hotels and bars seeing little to no patronage.
In the same vein, Kenneth John, a dealer in Esi Ewu (goat head) on Aitken Road, lamented the negative effects of the curfew on his business, stating that he had lost several heads of goats due to power outages and the resulting spoilage.
As the hunger protests continue, the calls for dialogue and a peaceful resolution are growing louder, with many in Kano State urging an end to the disruption and a return to normalcy.
(NAN)