Nigeria’s partygoers defy the morality police to find escape in nightclubs

SOKOTO, Nigeria (AP) – Multicolored strobe lights sweep throughout a dance floor shortly to throng with sweaty revelers and shrilling voices singing along to Afrobeats in a nightclub that is thriving despite being in one of northern Nigeria's most deeply conservative states.

Key points

• "This is nearly 2 a.m., and as you can see, everyone is outside to have fun, " Tabat informed The Associated Press.
• As the DJ prepared his set and attendants arranged bottles of expensive liquor on tables, Vincent Tabat joined those streaming into the venue.
• Despite its reputation, there is a thriving nightlife alongside strict religious codes, a morality police, and security challenges fueled by attacks by jihadi groups.

What happened

As the DJ prepared his set and attendants arranged bottles of expensive liquor on tables, Vincent Tabat joined those streaming into the venue. It is one of a handful along a street in Sokoto state.

It was an ironic scene given that the conservative Sokoto is known as the "seat of the caliphate" for its storied place in the birth and propagation of Islam in West and Central Africa. Despite its reputation, there is a thriving nightlife alongside strict religious codes, a morality police, and security challenges fueled by attacks by jihadi groups.

"This is nearly 2 a.m., and as you can see, everyone is outside to have fun, " Tabat informed The Associated Press. Tabat was fired up by the booming music all night, dancing with female companions as he portioned out drinks into emptying cups on the table.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around nigerias partygoers defy the morality police to find escape in nightclubs point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.