Prostitutes Kabba
A 2015 study by Kaba noted a significant rise in Nigeria’s sex ratio at birth. It increased from 1.03 boys per girl from 1996 to 2008, to 1.06 boys per girl by 2015. This rapid shift requires explanation. Concerns about prostitution, particularly involving minors and trafficking, are prominent in Kogi State. Kabba, a town within Kogi, appears frequently in reports. In 2018, authorities reported increased prostitution among former captives in Borno. Similar patterns emerged in Kogi.
Government Actions Against Prostitution
A 2021 statement from the Kogi State Government pledged action against cartels exploiting under-aged girls for prostitution and sex slavery within the state. Lokoja was specifically identified as a centre for teenage prostitution and sex slavery. The Association for Orphans and Vulnerable Children NGOs in Nigeria (AONN) condemned these practices in Kogi, urging the Commissioner of Police to investigate alleged teenage prostitution rings. Enforcement efforts target these activities. Individuals face serious charges related to prostitution and trafficking. Examples include charges like unlawful contact with a minor, living off prostitutes, promoting prostitution of a minor, sex trafficking, and racketeering. Convictions can lead to lengthy prison sentences, up to 20 years for interstate prostitution offenses. Arrests occur during police operations, including stings targeting prostitution rings sometimes operating through businesses like massage parlors. In 2018, three prostitution arrests and one for patronizing a prostitute occurred within a few blocks in one area. A recent El Paso sting resulted in 11 arrests.
Contributing Factors and Public Health Context
Underlying factors contribute to the vulnerability. Reports describe traffickers forcing victims into sex work on the streets and in brothels. A belief noted among young people in Kabba suggested avoiding sex with certain groups (like commercial sex workers or okada men)
might reduce risk, indicating complex local perceptions. Traffickers often use intermediaries with networks connecting them to clients. The issue intersects with public health initiatives. For instance, Nkhata Bay District Council trained commercial sex workers and fishers in community-based HIV testing in 2020. Understanding and supporting individuals involved in sex work, especially students, remains challenging for support services.
*TAGS* – teenage prostitution rings, sex trafficking charges, community-based HIV testing
