Detectives attached to the Cross River State Police Command yesterday arrested about 54 prostitutes and 58 men during a raid at a popular brothel called ‘Flour mill’ in the Calabar area of the state.
The operatives were led by Governor Ben Ayade’s security adviser, Mr. Jude Ngaji.
Ngaji while talking to journalist after the raid said the brothel which used to be a hotel has now become a notorious place for commercial sex workers in Calabar.
The security adviser noted that the brothel constitutes a major security threat in the State as it is a point where criminals converge.
He observed that the brothel was a den for criminals and hard drug merchants in the State.
“Given the tourism status of Cross River, Gov. Ayade frowns on this despicable act where under aged girls are engaged in prostitution. He has therefore vowed to take drastic and decisive measures to stem the ugly trend.
“He has directed that the place be raided and shut down forthwith. Consequently, the governor has warned that other persons or groups involved in this unwholesome practice should in their own interest desist henceforth or face the wrath of the law”, he said.
Ngaji called on teenage girls to engage themselves in meaningful activities, adding that there is no law in Nigeria that legalises prostitution.
“Each time you pass here at night, you find under-aged girls of about 13 and 14 years standing by and waiting for men.
“This place has become an area of concern to the State and Cross Riverians. This place has become a Sodom and Gomorrah in Cross River and the raid was carried out to stop prostitution and criminality in the state. All the girls that were caught here are prostitutes and some of them were caught in a compromising position. No law legalizes prostitution in Nigeria. The girls would be tried in court and we will ensure that they are returned back to their respective states,’’ Ngaji averred.
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