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| Some of the arrested Prostitutes |
The
Social Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration
has arrested 55 commercial sex workers during an operation recently.
City
News gathered that the operation, which was carried out between 1.00a.m. to
5.00a.m. on Thursday, was part of a ministerial directive to relevant agencies
in the city management to purge the city of unwholesome activities.
While
speaking on the development, the Acting Secretary of Social Development
Secretariat, Mrs. Adebola Elegbede, decried the high number of commercial sex
workers in the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that it was not surprising
that the FCT is rated highest in Nigeria with HIV/AIDs prevalence.
Elegbede
who called on women of easy virtue to engage themselves in meaningful ventures,
also used the occasion to pledge the readiness of the FCT Administration to
train repentant commercial sex workers in various entrepreneurial skills.
She,
however, warned that a mobile court has been set up to prosecute those who are
not willing to change from their old habit, just as she called on the men folk
to stop patronising commercial sex workers in their own interest.
“Since
we carried out a major demolition in Apo where teenage prostitution was
perpetuated, the Social Development Secretariat decided to focus on some major
spots within the city centre.
“Those
of them who are willing to turn a new leaf will be rehabilitated in our
Rehabilitation Centre in Lugbe and offer them training in various
entrepreneurial skills. At the end of such training, we will counsel them and a
starter pack will be given to them to set up some small scale businesses that
will dignify them as women.
“It
is heartbreaking that a woman will offer her body for money in the name of
poverty. It is unacceptable and we at the Social Development Secretariat will
continue to do our best to rid Abuja of such nuisance.
“It
is regrettable that well-placed Nigerians are calling me to release their
clients instead of joining hands with the secretariat to battle this
menace.
“My
mobile phone is inundated with calls not to prosecute those arrested. I am not
surprised that Abuja is rated highest in HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country,”
Elegbede said.
Source: Daily Trust
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Society