Commercial sex workers in Kano have called on the organizers of the nationwide hunger protests to enter into dialogue with the Federal Government.
In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, they expressed that the ongoing protests have significantly disrupted their livelihoods, leaving them without customers and struggling to meet their daily needs.
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Monica James, who operates on France Road, emphasized that dialogue with the government was the only viable solution to address the issues raised by the protesters. โI have not eaten for two days because of the curfew; our customers are nowhere to be found,โ she said. James urged protest organizers to halt their demonstrations and negotiate with the government to restore normalcy.
Deborah Iliya, a sex worker on Yoruba Road, echoed Jamesโ concerns, describing the situation as dire. She noted her struggle to find clients amidst the ongoing protests. Similarly, Hannatu Ibrahim from the Weatherhead area joined the call for an end to the protests, stressing the need for a return to normalcy.
Caroline James, who works from a brothel on Enugu Street in Sabon Gari, reported that the influx of hoodlums and the resulting violence had severely disrupted her business. She had clients willing to pay between N30,000 and N40,000, but they were unable to attend their appointments due to the curfew and heightened tension.
Another sex worker, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that the lack of customers during the protests forced some of her colleagues to share rooms. She appealed for a relaxation of the curfew, citing its severe impact on their business operations.
Moses John, a bar attendant in Sabon Gari, confirmed that the curfew had also affected businesses in the area, with hotels and bars struggling due to the absence of customers. Kenneth John, a goat head dealer on Aitken Road, lamented that the curfew had hindered his business, resulting in losses due to power outages.