From Abel Leonard, Lafia
While many Nigerians are grappling with the rigour of the economic hardship, nightlife in Nasarawa State has remained steadfast and bubbling as if all is well in the land.
In Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi, the energy exhibited at night is explosive and enthralling. A situation that explains the flourishing of a variety of nightclubs, bars and local entertainment joints. However, beneath the vibrant, colourful scene lies a troubling reality, one of exploitation, drug abuse and social decadence, especially among young but vulnerable women.
Daily Sun investigations indicate there is no age barrier to the illusionary comfort of these nightclubs. Young and old persons are welcome to the embrace of the glittering night.
The cost of admission into these clubs is also affordable and friendly. What fun enthusiasts pay to access these night clubs and joints is far cheaper than what is obtained in cities like Port-Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja.
For instance, entry into nightclubs such as Lanchika, DD’s World, AJI World, Youth Palace and Eno costs as low as N500 per person. This accounts for the huge human traffic at night. For those who want a test of a more localised entertainment experience, especially among Hausa communities, Lanchika offers a delightful alternative.
Lanchika involves young girls performing erotic dances to the rhythm of Hausa or Indian songs and music. These traditional entertainment spots have become so popular that many people strive to have a feel of “these little, little things that make the world go round.”
The dancers are mostly vulnerable young girls, aged between 14 and 17, who by law should not be trading their bodies for money. It was gathered that the girls are usually contracted and “trafficked” from different rural areas to the cities, many among them yielding to poverty, hunger and lack, rather than the urge to prostitute. It was also gathered that at the end of their erotic performances, certain patrons, for a beggar’s fee, take them home.
An even darker side of the nightlife is the rampant abuse of drugs. A frequent visitor to one of the Lanchikas in Akurba, Lafia, who sought anonymity, confided in Daily Sun that these Lanchikas have become hotbeds for drug abuse, especially among young female prostitutes: “The high number of out-of-school children, rising unemployment and increasing divorce cases in Nasarawa State have all contributed to the growing drug culture that is gradually killing the state.”
The source revealed that substances such as marijuana, codeine-laced cough syrup, alcohol and Rohypnol are readily available in the covert drug markets and corners that operate alongside the Lanchikas: “Young girls who perform there, also consume the drugs before and after their performances to ginger themselves.”
Aisha, a 16-year-old dancer at one of the Lanchikas in Lafia, told Daily Sun: “I came to Lafia with a friend to hawk and sell things. But when I saw what she was doing, I joined her to make ends meet.”
Aisha earns between N3,000 to N4,000 per night of dance, depending on how much money the customers spray her. Occasionally, she is paid an extra to spend the night with a patron. At such occasions, she earns an additional income, ranging between N2,000 and N3,000.
Despite her earnings however, Aisha confessed that she was drained and unhappy with her current lifestyle: “I am not happy with what I am doing, but for now, it is my only means of survival. If I get something better, I will stop. We are all slaves here. It has turned us into drug addicts.”
A source at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lafia, said: “We’ve raided these places twice and made arrests, but the cases are often frustrated in court.” He pushed the blame to obstacles placed by the system against effective operations:
“Some of these suspects come out and even threaten our lives. Without sufficient support from the state government, we are limited in what we can do.
“We lack operational vehicles and adequate funding. If government truly wants us to address the issue, it needs to invest in us.”
An official of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), said the agency “is not taking the allegation of child prostitution or trafficking lightly. We will look into this issue and ensure that those involved are brought to justice.”
A community leader in Akurba, Lafia Local Government, Ibrahim Umar, insisted: “Government needs to step up and provide alternatives for these young girls. Programmes for education, skills acquisition and rehabilitation are essential to curbing these harmful practices.”
Paul Chris Marshin, General Overseer, The Treasured House- Assembly, Lafia, described the trend as unfortunate: “We are losing our youth to this lifestyle.” He emphasised the urgent need for moral guidance and community intervention in the lives of the young ones.
He urged government, religious leaders and civil society organisations to collaborate in addressing these rising social issues: “The Church has a role to play in providing moral education, but we cannot do it alone.
“Government and NGOs must step up their efforts to protect our youth from this growing menace. There is the need for a holistic approach in tackling the challenges.”
Innocent Adamu, another community leader in Akurba, expressed similar frustration: “Everyday, I see young people in my community taking drugs. There is no sanity in these areas anymore. Without a prompt action, the situation could get out of control.
“We want government to do something about it, especially get the NGOs involved. Security agencies should also be proactive in handling these cases.”