Not fewer than 15 commercial sex workers has been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The sex workers were arrested by the Oyo state command of NSCDC, in three separate operations. Africa Giant news gathered that on Monday, eight of the commercial workers were arrested, two on Wednesday, while five was apprehended on Friday.
Their arrest was said to have been carried out on the complaint by owner of a club located at Bodija area of Ibadan who complained of lack of patronage for those commercial sex working inside the club house, as those outside are collecting all the customers.
NSCDC officials swung into action and began a clampdown on those commercial workers who were staying outside. In the three operations, 15 of the them were arrested.An eyewitness narrated his experience on Friday that the Olosho were arrested around 9.30 pm.
“Just being curious, I want to ask a question. Is it also the official responsibility of Civil Defence Officers to arrest Olosho. I kept a bit night outside today and had to drive through Awolowo Avenue at Bodija around 9.30pm, where I saw these Civil Defence officers with guns arresting those runs ladies and forced them into their official bus.”
An official of NSCDC who asked not to be named said on Saturday that those arrested on Monday and Wednesday had been released.
He said, “The owner of Platinum Arena reported the Olosho to the Command of NSCDC that those staying outside were killing the business for the ones inside that paid.
“I am sure those who were arrested on Monday late hour were released after the Imam and Chaplain of the Command preached for them. They were 8 on that day. Another 2 on Wednesday and were released after the two men of God preached to them.”
The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC in the state, Mr. Olusegun Oluwole, when contacted confirmed the arrest of the “Olosho”.
Oluwole, however, noted that the commercial sex workers were arrested following petition from the community that the commercial sex workers were constituting nuisance in the area.
“We received a petition from members of that community that they were constituting nuisance in their area. Our duty is to maintain law and order. They are constituting nuisance as armed robbers use them as shield to carry out their nefarious activities.
“That location use to be congested with traffic when they are soliciting for customers. People’s bags and valuable items have been snatched from them at that location. Hence the need to restore sanity to the area. Those arrested were cautioned, counseled and released, the Christian among them were counseled by a social worker and command chaplain, while the Muslim were counseled by a social worker and command Imam.”
