Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State ordered the demolition of brothels and criminal dens in Maiduguri, the state capital, within 72 hours. The brothels and criminal dens are known for prostitution, gangsterism, and other illegal activities.
Zulum issued this directive while inspecting the situation at ‘Bayan Quarters,’ a neighborhood located near the railway staff quarters in Maiduguri.
It’s worth noting that there has been a dispute regarding the events from the previous week when the police were said to have stopped trucks, deflated their tires, and arrested six individuals who were loading train coaches. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) subsequently clarified through a statement that these coaches were scheduled for transfer to Jos for maintenance.
The region is believed to provide shelter to gang members, lawbreakers, and underage individuals engaged in commercial sex work.
The governor conveyed his apprehension about the escalating criminal behavior connected to these unauthorized brothels and criminal hideouts, encompassing activities such as prostitution, drug trafficking, and various unlawful enterprises.
He emphasized that these actions not only jeopardize the state’s security but also promote societal issues that erode the quality of life in communities and compromise the self-respect of those participating.
Zulum clarified that the community, known for housing both criminals and underage girls involved in commercial sex work, would undergo demolition within the next 72 hours. However, the operators of these illicit brothels have a 12-hour window to evacuate, as he stated: “The government has been duly informed of the activities that are going on here, this settlement is completely illegal. People are killed here; this place serves as a breeding space for insurgents. Therefore, I have directed that everybody should vacate the place.”
“I understand that this land was approved by the Borno State Government to be used by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), but unfortunately, it’s been rented out illegally with all forms of criminal activities taking place. For this reason, the government has revoked the earlier approval and henceforth, the land belongs to Borno State Government.”