Security Crackdown: 13 Nigerian Sex Workers made to clean Tamale Market  

A nocturnal security operation by National Security operatives in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale, has led to the arrest of thirteen Nigerian women, identified as commercial sex workers.

The operation, carried out on Wednesday night, also targeted suspected drug peddlers in parts of the Metropolis.

Following their arrest and interrogation, the women were made to sweep portions of the Tamale Central Market before being handed over to the police.

Confirming the development on JOYNEWS, the Northern Regional Security Liaison Officer for the National Security Secretariat, Adams Mohammed, said the women were arrested during a coordinated swoop aimed at clamping down on crime and social vices in the city.

“We arrested 13 people. Upon interrogation, we realised they were coming from Nigeria, and based on that, we continued with our questioning,” he stated.

The women were picked up during a swoop in areas including Jubilee Park and the Bank of Ghana stretch, locations security officials describe as emerging hotspots for commercial sex work, amid concerns that prostitution in Tamale has been on the ascendancy in recent months.

Asked how operatives established that the women were engaged in prostitution, Adams Mohammed said the suspects admitted their profession during interrogation.

“From the interrogation, they told us they were commercial sex workers,” he explained.

Responding to whether the women were arrested in the act, the liaison officer disclosed that the operation led security personnel to a brothel.

“At the time of the swoop, we found a brothel. When our officers entered, they realised the individuals were engaged in the activity,” he said.

However, concerns have been raised over the decision to make the women sweep the Tamale Central Market without first arraigning them before a court.

Addressing the issue, Adams Mohammed insisted the action should not be interpreted as punishment.

“Let me be very clear. The exercise was not a punishment and was not intended to humiliate anyone. It was a community-based corrective measure carried out in collaboration with local authorities, aimed at discouraging social vices and restoring order in public spaces,” he stressed.

He added that the approach was meant to send a strong message that public disorder and unlawful activities would not be tolerated, while avoiding custodial detention.

When questioned on whether the action was the most appropriate deterrent against prostitution, Adams Mohammed maintained that National Security was mindful of human rights considerations.

“It is not a point where we are violating anyone’s rights,” he said, noting that the individuals were neither prosecuted nor jailed and were not subjected to any form of violence.

“The actions were mild, non-custodial, and aimed at behavioural correction. In situations like this, such measures are preferable to incarceration,” he concluded.

 

 

 

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