What Akure sex workers did after their colleague was beaten to death over ₦15,000

Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

After a client paid ₦15,000 for an overnight session and allegedly battered a sex worker because “he didn’t finish,” the Cathedral axis of Akure was devastated and incensed.

Witnesses and coworkers at the brothel described an unsettling series of incidents. Despite being sick that evening, the victim took the job because she “didn’t want to lose the money.” The client apparently expressed disappointment after the meeting and requested a refund. When she refused, he came back with several men, broke into her room, and beat her until she passed out.

The presence of used condoms in the room verified the transaction. She had passed away by the time the police came.

The tragedy could have been avoided, according to her close friend, who was crying and trembling: “If she had health insurance, she would have gone to the hospital instead of forcing herself to work. We have no rights, no protection. Nobody cares until one of us dies.”

Patricia Uwonkolo, a coworker, explained the difficult realities of their job: “We use herbs, pills, anything that keeps us awake or strong enough to survive the night. Some are on ARVs, some have infections. But where do we go? This job is killing us slowly — and now quickly.”

Following the murder, local sex workers are calling for immediate changes, such as emergency health insurance, 24-hour police presence in red-light districts, a system for reporting abusive customers, and legislative safeguards against mistreatment. They contend that the only way to halt the ongoing wave of violence is through regulation.

The primary suspect and three accomplices have been apprehended, according to the Ondo State Police Command; the other suspects are still at large.

The matter has caused a national uproar and intense discussions on X. Many people are wondering how defenseless women can still be slain for little than ₦15,000 in a world when politicians control trillions and religious groups gather billions.

While Akure laments, the most important question is still: how many more women have to perish until Nigeria addresses the abuse, disregard, and hypocrisy associated with sex work?

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.