The Plateau State Government has vowed to prosecute 40 individuals arrested by police for alleged involvement in prostitution and cult-related activities in the Bukuru area of Jos South Local Government Area.
The suspects, comprising both males and females, were apprehended during a raid on known black spots in the area, as part of the state’s intensified efforts to combat crime.
In a statement on Friday, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, disclosed that 44 people were initially arrested, with 20 identified as members of the Sara-Suka cult group, alongside suspected sex workers and others engaged in various criminal activities.
“As part of our efforts to rid the state of all criminal elements, the Plateau State Police Command has carried out a raid operation in various black spots within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis and arrested about 44 suspects, both male and female,” Alfred said.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Pangiang, expressed concern over the rise in prostitution and cultism among young people in the state, describing it as a disturbing trend.
In a video released alongside the police statement, Pangiang condemned the activities of those arrested and emphasized the government’s resolve to take strict action.
“This administration will not stop at making sure that we do the right thing, and that is why I have to come here to collaborate with the police and stop this menace that is staring at us in the face on the Plateau,” she stated.
She further noted that the arrested individuals, particularly the suspected sex workers, will face prosecution to deter others and will later undergo rehabilitation as part of efforts to address the underlying causes of the social vices.
The state’s law enforcement agencies have ramped up operations to clamp down on criminal activities, targeting black spots known for fostering such vices.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Plateau State becomes a safer and more disciplined environment.
