Arewa Female Students Challenge Detention of Vulnerable Women for Petty Debts
Northern female students, under the aegis of the Arewa Female Students Association (AFSA), have raised concern over what they described as the indiscriminate detention of women—particularly mothers and widows—in correctional centres across northern Nigeria.
The group raised the alarm on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Kano office of the PRNigeria Centre.
Speaking during the visit, AFSA Chairperson, Farida Adebimpe, said several women are being detained over minor debts ranging from ₦20,000 to ₦50,000. She explained that many of the affected women are small-scale traders who collected goods on credit but were unable to repay due to business failure.
According to her, some of the detainees are pregnant or nursing mothers, a situation she described as deeply troubling and inhumane.
“Pregnant women and young mothers are indeed being detained over small financial disputes, sometimes under questionable legal processes,” she added.
Adebimpe noted that AFSA has intervened in some cases by working with correctional centre officials to secure the release of affected women, assist in settling their debts, and provide financial support to enable them return to caring for their children.
She also said the association is campaigning against late-night street trading by women and young girls, warning that the practice exposes them to risks such as exploitation, abuse and moral degradation. While acknowledging trading as a legitimate means of survival, she said AFSA advocates safer and more dignified alternatives.
The AFSA chairperson appealed to stakeholders for guidance, partnership and support, stressing the shared responsibility of promoting youth development and societal wellbeing.
During the visit, the association presented an Award of Exemplary Service and Commitment to the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of PRNigeria, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, in recognition of his contributions to societal development.
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In his response, Shuaib expressed appreciation for the association’s advocacy, describing it as timely, genuine and socially relevant. He highlighted the growing challenge of drug abuse among young girls, including new university entrants, attributing the trend partly to peer pressure.
He shared PRNigeria’s experience in drug-abuse advocacy, including engagements with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the recent publication of a book on the subject. He pledged media support, research collaboration, investigative reporting and advocacy amplification across PRNigeria platforms.
Shuaib also encouraged AFSA to adopt data-driven advocacy, noting that credible statistics and research would strengthen public understanding and policy engagement on issues such as substance abuse, examination malpractice and wrongful detention.
On the issue of women imprisoned over minor debts, he said this would be followed up through investigative reporting and sustained advocacy.
He reaffirmed the readiness of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and other titles, to collaborate with AFSA through media coverage, investigative journalism, advocacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement with security agencies and correctional authorities.
In his closing remarks, PRNigeria’s Head of Special Projects and Innovation, Muhammed Dahiru Lawal said Image Merchants Promotion Limited, the publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential has consistently prioritised gender inclusion, including operating a dedicated unit for female mentees and interns trained in mass communication, public relations and journalism. He noted that many of the beneficiaries have gone on to win prestigious awards at national and campus levels.
The session ended with mutual appreciation, documentation of the engagement and an agreement to follow up on concrete steps to deepen collaboration and advance shared advocacy goals.
By PRNigeria
