No fewer than 15 commercial sex workers have been arrested in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital for constituting nuisance.
It was gathered that the commercial sex workers were arrested by the Oyo State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during three separate operations.
According to a DAILY POST report, eight of the commercial sex workers were arrested on Monday, two were arrested on Wednesday, while about five were arrested on Friday.
An official of NSCDC who asked not to be named told DAILY POST 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.”
An eyewitness narrated his experience on Friday, he said 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.”
The Public Relations Officer of Oyo NSCDC command, Mr. Olusegun Oluwole, who confirmed the arrest of the “Olosho”, however, said the arrest was made 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.”