Concerns are growing as young women suspected to be involved in the sex trade are increasingly seen lingering around major shopping centers and upscale streets in Lagos, attempting to attract potential clients.
According to reports from PUNCH Metro, these scantily clad women often position themselves strategically within the malls to entice men.
Our reporters visited locations like Ikeja City Mall, Festival Mall, and Allen Avenue and observed that these women, believed to be between the ages of 20 and 30, were present in the vicinity attempting to solicit potential customers.
During a visit to Ikeja City Mall around 10 pm on a Saturday, one of our correspondents was approached by no fewer than three different young women wearing revealing and seductive clothing.
Our correspondent, feigning interest, discovered that the prices charged by these sex workers varied depending on factors such as duration and location.
For example, a brief encounter in the area could cost N15,000, while an overnight stay at the client’s chosen location would cost N30,000, excluding transportation expenses.
When asked about the cost for a weekend, one of the women replied, “N50,000 from Friday to Sunday morning, and you will also need to cover my transportation expenses to your place.”
The situation appeared similar at Festival Mall in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state.
Concerned residents feared that the increasing activities of these suspected call girls, who pretended to be shoppers, could lead to serious security breaches in the area.
One resident, identified as Precious, claimed that young girls used the mall for various immoral activities, especially during weekends.
Security guard Peter confirmed that they were accustomed to seeing these women around and that some of them engaged in sexual activities inside cars.
Even when questioned about their behavior, they would respond with insults, claiming it was none of anyone’s business.
A man named Dan expressed his dismay at the activities he witnessed, particularly at night when people engaged in various activities in pairs and groups.
At Allen Avenue in Ikeja, women of various appearances stood along the roadsides, attempting to attract the attention of male pedestrians and passing vehicles.
A man familiar with their activities and charges, speaking anonymously, mentioned that during heavy rain showers in places near Allen Avenue, the cost for a short encounter could drop as low as N5,000.
As of the time of filing this report, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, was unavailable to comment on the security concerns raised by residents.
