No fewer than 27 commercial sex workers were arrested on Friday in Abuja following raids by security personnel on brothels in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
The development comes as the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Aliyu, ordered the sanitisation of the FCT against all forms of human nuisance and social vices such as commercial street workers and brothels.
This, according to Malam Sani Amar, the Acting Director, Social Welfare Services, FCT Social Development Secretariat, is part of efforts to safeguard the health of residents in the territory, NAN reports.
Amar had led a team of security agencies and evacuation squad of SDS, to raid a brothel, on Friday in Abuja.
He said the FCT minister of state had directed the social development secretariat to sanitise the area thoroughly.
He said no fewer than 27 commercial sex workers had been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution as he reiterated the commitment of FCTA to ensure that rule of law propel in the city.
He cited the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, the Immigration Act and NAPTIP (National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) Act which stipulates that operation of a brothel, street commercial sex work, child abuse, child labour, human trafficking are criminal activities.
“The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu and the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola and the acting Secretary Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Dr Kevin Ike, are committed to safeguarding the health and lives of the residents.
“The minister has declared war against operators of brothels in FCT and given us marching orders to ensure we rid the city of such illegal activities and business.
“This is a clear demonstration of the commitment of the minister of state to ensure that the rule of law propels in the FCT,” Amar said.
He further appealed to the public, especially those engaged in the operation of brothels and commercial sex work to have a change of mind and business.
“COVID-19 pandemic is real and a commerce sex operator and their patronisers don’t have the luxury of time to check or ensure how healthy they are.
“Therefore, it is an avenue for easy spread of COVID-19 and it is the duty of the FCT Administration to safeguard the lives and health of residents,” he said.
