By Ajogwu Jerry Ochada

The perception and description of the term “prostitution” are dependent on who is involved and the sociological definition in vogue. To many, especially participants in the illicit trade, it is a normal way of life in search of survival. It is not a case for or of survival of fittest but a classic selection aligned on the margins of survival of the most vulnerable. Some persons involved are not guilty as accused, though. They were lured or compelled by the ‘bigger girls’ who can be negatively revered as veterans in the profession.

Prostitution can also be rated as a profession. Persons who engage in the ‘business of shame’ for money do not hide their identities even though most societies are against sexual trade in all ramifications. Gone are the days when the premium was placed on virginity whereby premarital sex was strongly criticized. Today, it is widely assumed and perhaps true that the women of easy virtue are quick to ‘settle down’ with the choicest men after retirement from their sedentary lifestyles. Some married women still engage in extramarital sexual affairs and the society is quick to accord it a good rating – adultery – but it should be rated worse

In order not to deviate from the subject matter, recently the Nigeria Police opted to clampdown on the women of easy virtues operating around Nigeria’s capital city and its environs. So many debates hinted the recent decision by the police may be linked to a female stripper who wore ‘hijab’ to display in one of the ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ lounge attracted the punitive measure. Else, the business is lucrative within the capital city with many single ladies and separated women embracing the trade as a means of survival.

Many critics have kicked against this encroachment at the peak of the recent arrest which was followed swiftly with an allegation of Police officers raping the arrested harlots while in their custody by using empty sachets of water nylon as a condom. While this allegation is yet to be confirmed, it further spells doom for a society that is striving to be sane. On the other hand, however, patronizers of the supposed whores should also be intercepted and penalized. It takes two to tango.

It is no longer business as usual for most of these ladies who are compelled by the new punitive decision to stay at home; it is no longer business as usual but the irony of the whole scenario is that the trade is still trending. Although chased from the streets, they still have contacts of their customers. Home service, if you will.

A visit to a popular red zone, close to Rita Lori on a Friday, revealed something of a desert. Unlike the normal features even on weekdays, the spot was dry as no ‘night bird’ was spotted waiting for customers or running after vehicles to sell their ware. The popular Gimbiya Street, Area 11 was also a shadow of itself as no queen of the night was seen wearing bump short as usual. The popular catchment area, Wuse Zone 4 was not left out as everywhere was deserted. However, some tinted cars were parked at the scene perhaps business was ongoing as usual.

It is unarguably not a good season for these ladies who have invested so much (sleeping with numerous men for money) in this trade but for them all hope is not lost because ‘hustling’ will definitely continue and it is fast becoming survival of the smartest who can overshadow personnel of the Nigerian Police.

These ladies are also not ready to deviate or shun the practice. No one abandons a goldmine except those with metal allergies. The high unemployment rate hasn’t helped. For these prostitutes, though, there are no lessons learned but an ample time to decoy a path for survival in a complex crime.

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Noted

No one abandons a goldmine except those with metal allergies.