Police raid brothels, hotels in Anambra, arrest 120 prostitutes

Cynthia Igbokwe reports for www.odogwublog.com that there was confusion in Anambra state hotels when about one hundred and Twenty (120) pretty ladies alleged to be prostitutes were arrested in various cities of Anambra state by various police detachments over the weekend.

 Some men allegedly patronizing them were arrested too.

Some were allegedly arrested by Special Anti-Cult Squad , others by Special Anti-Robbery Squad  and others by conventional policemen.

According to our source in the police circle who would not want to be mentioned the police raided Morning Star Hotel Amawbia ,Awka South council area arresting about 20 people, men and women about 8:30 pm Saturday and whisked them away.

The Police Public Relations Officer , Mohammadu Haruna did not pick his calls as at press time.

The source further said that on Sunday, the police raided Happiness Hotel, in front of Amanwayi, Amawbia about 12 Noon arresting about 6 women alleged to be prostitutes.

The police as well allegedly had earlier raided Dot4 Hotel, Mgbakwu and Bolin Hotel Nise as well as another hotel in Ogidi , Idemmili North council area its name was not ascertained as at press time, arresting over 60 men and women there.

There were other raids allegedly at Amansea, Umunze , Onitsha and Ihiala but www.odogwublog.com  was unable to get details of such raids but our source said the raid was across board by the police.

Though , our source was in support of the raids as it would help reduce the increasing rise of HIV/AIDS in the state, he was unhappy the suspects were only raided and bailed with N10,000 each and they returned to the business, decrying that police have used such raids as money making rather than corrective measures to deter others from indulging.

‘’Some arrested were not prostitutes but guests in the hotel , others were playing Snookers, other playing Tennis but they were all arrested as prostitutes and patronisers, but the policemen patronize them most. I told the policemen that what they were doing was wrong as they raid them every other month yet they return to the business after bailing themselves with N10,000’’.

He said  the police came with a Bus and Pick Up Van and loaded the suspects after matching them out in casual wears and others in outfits not related to prostituting , an indication they were on another mission , maybe relaxation.

Sex workers had protested demolition of their shanties along Enugu Onitsha Expressway by Governor Willie Obiano led government even as Dr John Ndibe, former Anambra state Action committee on AIDS , ANSACA Boss had said 618 prostitution spots in Anambra state. Former Governor Peter Obi had ordered the shutting down of the prostitutions spots during his term in office.