Sir: The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, recently moved to rid the nation’s capital of destitution and other environmental nuisance with a massive clampdown on the popular Caramelo night club in Wuse II District of the territory where strippers and other sex workers were arrested.
This clampdown was followed by raids of different clubs within the metropolis where more than 60 women were arrested for allegedly hanging around night clubs. Some of the arrests took place in various highbrow parts of the FCT like the Aminu Kano Crescent, Gwarimpa and Katampe Extension. It was carried out by the FCTA joint task team which comprised of the Departments of Development Control, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Social Development Secretariat (SDS), accompanied by the Nigerian Police.
Following the clampdown and demolition of this building, the debate has been raging over the propriety or otherwise of these actions. Some activists are claiming that it violated the rights of those affected and that the building should not have been demolished. The owners of the nightclub have also alleged that the raid on the facility was more of a vendetta than for public good for the reason that the night club had been in operation for long without the FCTA raiding the premises. It was also alleged that the owner of the club had issues with some big men in the FCTA.
But this is however far from the truth because the FCT as a planned city has rules and regulations governing all the activities that take place in the city and the club could not have been raided or demolished if it did not violate the laid down regulations for land use in the FCT.
The claim also that the raid was as a result of a rift between the club owners and FCTA officials is unsubstantiated because the facts have been established that the owners were repeatedly warned about their illegal activities and to revert to the original land use of the building which they failed to adhere to.
The other issue that has however generated much public odium is the alleged abuse of the stripers and prostitutes that were arrested. If these officials actually molested these girls as was alleged, then it must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. That somebody is compromising the law does not authorise enforcement agencies to abuse them and this is why the investigation commenced by the FCTA and the police is a welcome development. Anybody found guilty of actually abusing these ladies must be made to face the full wrath of law to serve as deterrence.
- Danladi Akilu, Gudu District, Abuja
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