Prostitutes Lafia

Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, faces significant issues related to prostitution. Young women from neighboring states like Benue, Plateau, Kogi, and Kaduna often come here seeking quick money through sex work. Specific areas within Lafia are known hotspots, including Poly, Bukan Sidi, Tudun Gwandara, Abuja Street, and Gandu (Student Villa).

Research and Health Concerns

Academic studies highlight concerns. Research connects sex sellers and buyers, particularly among students at Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) (Ugal, 2022). Studies also examine risk behaviors among male clients (Lowndes, 2000) and correlates of condom use among female sex workers (Alary, 2003). Variations in self-reported STI rates exist among different types of sex workers and their clients (Alary, 2003). Food insecurity in rural households is also linked as a contributing factor (Grosso, 2015).

Enforcement and Societal Factors

Law enforcement is active. Police conduct sting operations resulting in arrests. Prostitution is illegal under Sharia law, leading to crackdowns. In Nasarawa, hotel-based child prostitution has been reported, and under-aged girls sometimes resort to hookups due to hardship. Societal drivers are complex. Poverty hard times pushes some under-aged girls and women into sex work. The proximity of universities creates a market. Some view transactional relationships church prostitutes critically. Community empowerment and involvement of female sex workers in health programs are seen as potential solutions (Ikpeazu, 2014; Moore, 2014).

Modern Trends and Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted hotel owners and commercial sex workers economically. Online platforms facilitate connections. Escort directories and classified ads (like MegaPersonals) operate, listing services in Lafia. Dating sites and apps are also used to arrange encounters. Sexually explicit content from the area appears online.

*TAGS* – Hotel-based child prostitution, STI rates sex workers, Online escort directories