Prostitutes Abuja

Legal Crackdowns and Definitions

On November 19, 2023, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja presided over a case. The court stated that women suspected of sex work on Abuja’s streets, labeled as prostitutes or vagabonds, are committing an offence under Nigerian law. This ruling highlighted the legal distinction between terms like “Ashewo” and “Hookup,” clarifying their usage within the context of illegal activities. The court explicitly ruled that prostitutes do not have legally protected rights under Nigerian law, including the 1999 Constitution. On May 20, 2020, a court dismissed sex workers’ suit alleging rights breaches.

Operational Networks and Enforcement

Brothels, migrants, and suburban prostitution networks operate within Abuja. Areas like Lagos Street in Garki transform into commercial sex markets at night. Contemporary communication technologies facilitate this trade. By March 12, 2025, reports emerged detailing how Abuja policemen allegedly raped and assaulted arrested women. The FCTA arrested 55 women for prostitution in Abuja, while NAPTIP raided motels using under-aged girls as bait. On May 27, a mobile court sentenced 27 female prostitutes to prison. Male escort services are advertised openly through platforms like MyBestGigolo.com.

Societal Dynamics and Organized Response

Community complaints about prostitutes taking over neighborhoods are frequent. Reviews of places like Transcorp Hilton Abuja mention encounters with soliciting prostitutes. The National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (NANP) emerged to assist adult sex workers, positioning itself as a professional organization. Despite crackdowns, prostitutes declared we’re going nowhere, as covered on October 16, 2022. Amnesty International criticized arrests while residents expressed worry over increasing numbers. Commentaries like “The War On Women In Abuja” by Jibrin Ibrahim analyzed the situation.

*TAGS* – Abuja mobile court, NANP association, Garki sex markets