Police arrest 112 commercial sex workers, others in Cross River

ABOUT 112 commercial sex workers and their partners were this week arrested by the Cross River State Police Command. Out of this number, 54 are females while 58 of them are their male partners or customers.

On Monday at about 9.18 pm, heavily armed policemen in five pickup vans raided the popular red light district popularly known as “flour mills”.

The joint which is located along Ikot Ishie off Murtala Mohammed Highway in Calabar Municipality was cordoned off by the police while the raid lasted as vehicles in and out of the blue spot were turned back.

The operation, which was carried out by detectives from the Cross River State Police Command, was led by Governor Ben Ayade’s Security Adviser (SSA), Mr. Jude Ngaji.

In the process many girls in their skimpy wears and the men attempted to escape but were halted by gun-toting policemen even though a few of them escaped.

Briefing newsmen Ngaji said the brothel, which used to be a hotel, has now become a notorious place for commercial sex workers in Calabar.

Ngaji said the brothel poses a security threat in the State because it now serves as a breeding ground for criminal activities in Calabar.

According to him: “The brothel has become a hideout for criminals as well as hard drug merchants in the state.”

“Given the tourism status of Cross River, Gov. Ayade frowns at this despicable act where under- aged girls are engaged in prostitution.”