Borno emir bans commercial sex workers

Kyari El-Kanemi, shehu of Bama in Borno state, has banned commercial sex workers in his domain, saying the action is targetted at eliminating vices and enhancing peace in the area.

In a statement issued on Monday, Abba Shehu-Umar, personal secretary of the emir, said the traditional ruler made the declaration in a message to mark the 2019 Eid-el-Maulud celebrations.

He said that the emir expressed displeasure over the increase in number of commercial sex workers in the area following a clamp down on illegal brothels in the Galadima area of Maiduguri.

The traditional ruler said that his emirate would not condone illicit activities and other forms of criminality allegedly perpetrated by the sex workers.

“You may recall that these girls caused serious criminality in the suburb of the state capital; they engaged in open prostitution, child trafficking, drug abuse and other forms of criminality in the metropolis,” he said.

“The state government constituted a high powered committee to address the nefarious activities, which led to the demolishing of several hotels, brothels and hideouts in Maiduguri.

“Now that the chances in the state capital are narrowing, they are exploring other safe havens in the local government councils.

“The trend cannot be accepted; I have instructed Village and Ward Heads to be vigilant and proactive as such attitude will not be condoned.”

The emir said those found to be engaged in the acts or other forms of criminality would be prosecuted while their premises demolished in accordance with the state government’s policy on such illegal structures in Maiduguri.