₦airaland Forum

"Silence from the Top: Why is the Nigerian President Ignoring the Rise of Brothels, Prostitution, and Human Trafficking?"


Abuja, Nigeria — Across the capital city and in all 36 states of the federation, a silent crisis festers — the unchecked growth of prostitution, brothels, and an increasingly emboldened network of human traffickers and organ harvesters. Even more shocking is the seeming indifference of the nation's leadership, particularly the President, who has remained notably silent despite a clear legal framework that criminalizes such activities.


According to the Criminal Code Act and the Penal Code prostitution and related activities are explicitly criminalized. For instance:

Section 225A of the Criminal Code Act: prohibits brothel keeping and imposes imprisonment of up to two years on offenders.

Section 223 & 224 of the Criminal Code: criminalize procuring women for prostitution and living on the earnings of prostitution.

Section 275 of the Penal Code (Northern Nigeria): criminalizes prostitution and prescribes imprisonment or fine or both for those found guilty.

Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015: criminalizes human trafficking, child sex trafficking, and related offenses with penalties ranging from 5 years to life imprisonment.


Despite these laws, red-light districts are flourishing. In major areas of Abuja like Gwarinpa, Wuse, and Maitama, brothels operate openly. Similar trends can be found in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and even in remote areas.


The complicity stretches to the elite. It's now an open secret that some politicians and high-ranking officials are regular clients of sex workers — often euphemistically referred to as “hookup girls.” These women are seen frequenting luxury hotels, often entering with top officials under security escort. Who then will enforce the law, when those meant to uphold it are among the violators?

A recent sting operation by an NGO in Abuja revealed the involvement of foreign nationals in trafficking young girls from neighboring West African countries. Some are forced into sex work, others vanish — suspected victims of organ trade. Yet, arrests remain rare, and convictions even rarer.


Critics have questioned the President’s total silence on these issues. Not a single policy speech, not one executive directive, not even a tweet condemning the rise of prostitution and trafficking networks. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) appears underfunded and overwhelmed.

“Why is the president not speaking?” asks Halima Okonkwo, a social rights advocate in Kaduna. “Every day, young girls go missing. Every day, brothels spring up beside schools and churches. Yet, the presidency says nothing.”

Could the silence be a form of passive complicity? Or is it fear of uncovering names that might implicate powerful allies?


Usman, a former brothel manager in Nasarawa, shared shocking insights: “Police only raid when they haven’t been settled. And politicians are our top customers, especially during campaign season. They don’t want it shut down.”

Meanwhile, the human cost grows. Teenage girls trafficked under the guise of jobs in Abuja are turned into sex slaves. Some disappear forever.


Nigeria stands at a moral and legal crossroads. The President must break his silence. Law enforcement agencies need to act without fear or favor. And civil society must keep the pressure on.

Until then, the brothels will keep expanding, the traffickers will keep profiting, and the silence from Aso Rock may be remembered not as neutrality — but as betrayal.

How is this the responsibility of the president? Are there no ministry in charge of things like this?

ElSudani:
How is this the responsibility of the president? Are there no ministry in charge of things like this?

Yes it is the responsibility of the president and there are ministry in charge of things like this but they are not enforcing the law that criminalize brothels and Prostitution in Nigeria and that why Nigerians are seeing rise in prostitution activity in Nigeria: that is the more reason Nigeria president must come out publicly to speak against brothels and Prostitution so the enforcers can begin their work.

What's the role of the Nigeria parents?

Or those ladies fell from the sky

Reasonable number of the Nigeria parents have stopped taking responsibility for their family. The Oloshos, Yahoo boys, criminals are all products of Nigeria parents.

Btw, if on average day, one new church is being erected in Nigeria, abeg who are those people have been preaching to that waywardness now take over. The so called LGBTQ are also products of some parents.

The same Nigeria parents are the one responsible for our crops of politicians

The rise of brothels and prostitution in Nigeria are constituting public nuisance to residents and foreigners in the country.

It time for the Nigeria Government to take action against this menaces.

Governors are more well equipped to eliminate this and the Gov of Edo State is doing very impressive work
I don’t know of the others

Prostitution is the oldest profession. It can NEVER be eradicated. If you don't like it just ignore it and move on

helinues:
What's the role of the Nigeria parents?

Or those ladies fell from the sky

You have to accept that many of them have mothers or aunts who are already in the Ptofession

Christistruth02:
You have to accept that many of them have mothers or aunts who are already in the Ptofession

Morality is actually decaying in Nigeria society. Ladies do sleep around back then but not like hanging out around the street. How can prostitution be a profession? How?

You don't do because I am young, or claiming naive and do silly things. Those things will hunt you back.

I have no issue with tattoos but can a lady with glaring tattoo be Nigeria first lady? Those I don't care act always have there consequences in the future

Christistruth02:
Governors are more well equipped to eliminate this and the Gov of Edo State is doing very impressive work
I don’t know of the others

I disagree with you on your opinion about the new governor of Edo State governor fighting brothels and prostitution.

Because Edo State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria that have highest brothels in Nigeria. Almost all the markets in Edo state have brothels located near it and this new Edo State governor is not doing anything about it.

Okpo business has gone online. Its now called hookup and they have apps for it. Tinder and all those

It's the job of the governors, not president. I think it's now very rampant because of poverty