KATSINA — A cross-section of community leaders, religious clerics, and security experts in Katsina State have raised a “moral emergency” alert over the alarming rise in commercial sex work, warning that the menace is threatening the very social and cultural fabric of the ancient caliphate.
At a high-level stakeholder meeting held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, participants expressed deep concern that prostitution—once a hushed vice relegated to the shadows—is now becoming brazenly public. Many at the forum pointed to the state’s biting economic hardship as the primary engine driving vulnerable women into the trade.
A Crisis Fuelled by Poverty
Stakeholders argued that the surge in sex work is inextricably linked to the vanishing middle class and a staggering ₦152 trillion national debt that has pushed millions into a corner.
- The Survival Trap: With petrol prices nearing ₦1,000 per litre, many young girls and struggling mothers are reportedly being lured into the trade as a desperate means to keep hunger at bay.
- Modern Slavery: Human rights activists have previously warned that this level of economic desperation is a gateway to modern-day slavery, where the “common man” is forced into exploitative labour just to survive another day.
Security and Health Implications
The Katsina “moral crisis” has also been flagged as a significant security risk. Security experts at the meeting warned that unregulated “red-light zones” often serve as breeding grounds and hideouts for criminal informants and bandits. This is particularly worrying given the recent bloodshed in the North, where communities are still reeling from coordinated attacks.
Furthermore, health officials noted that the Ministry of Health recently revealed it received only ₦36 million for its entire 2025 capital projects, leaving the state virtually defenceless against a potential spike in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other public health challenges.
Elite Disconnect vs. Grassroots Suffering
Critics at the forum echoed the recent warning from former Governor Nasir El-Rufai that the government is obsessed with “Regime Security” while the social foundations of the people crumble.
- The Budget Gap: While stakeholders in Katsina debate how to save young girls from the streets, the political class in Abuja is reportedly debating spending over ₦127 million on a single SUV for the Villa.
- Denial Culture: U.S. lawmakers have characterised the administration as having a “culture of denial,” which local leaders say prevents an honest conversation about why the nation’s youth are resorting to such desperate measures.
Call to Action
The meeting concluded with a passionate plea for the Katsina State Government to initiate a “Social Rescue Plan.” This would include robust skill acquisition programmes, micro-grants for women, and a decisive crackdown on the traffickers who profit from the misery of the vulnerable.
As of Thursday morning, February 12, 2026, the Hisbah Board has reportedly intensified patrols, but observers warn that without addressing the underlying hunger, the “menace” will continue to fester in the shadows of the North.
