The Head of Police Complaint Response Unit, ACP Yomi Shogunle, has said prostitution is a crime in the Nigerian constitution, adding that the act is also a sin in at least two major religions practised in the FCT.

Shogunle said this in a Twitter post on Tuesday morning while defending the clampdown on alleged prostitutes in Abuja.

WuzupNigeria recalls that no fewer than 70 ladies were arrested at different locations in the city on allegations they were sex workers.

Nigerians were outraged that the women were allegedly molested by the police after their arrest.

However, Shogunle’s defence has sparked outrage on Twitter with many explaining to the police chief that molesting suspects is also a crime.

Those making noise on the clampdown on prostitutes in #Abuja;
•Prostitution is a crime under the law
•P is a sin under the 2 main religions of FCT residents
•Medicine says P is spreading HIV & STD
•P is lifeline of violent criminals
•P don’t pay tax
•?? culture frowns at P.

— Abayomi Shogunle (@YomiShogunle) April 30, 2019

A Twitter user, Godfrey Omenai/@GodfreyOmenai, said the “noise is not about the raid, it’s about raping and molestation of the prostitutes.

P will pay tax (bail) to the police before leaving the station. P will spread HIV/AIDS to the police before leaving the station. Make sure you remit the tax to oga and run test for your boys.

On his part, Okosi/@Obong_Henry wondered how the police knew the people they arrested were prostitutes.
He wrote,·

How do you know who is a prostitute? People were picked in clubs with their boyfriends looking helplessly. Culture frowns at it, I guess the same culture encourages Police brutality and oppression.

Another commenter, Adebiyi Olukayode/@KayodeOAdebiyi, wondered if it was a crime to patronise the sex workers.

He wrote,

What of the clients to the prostitute? Are they legal by both the law and religion? Since our constitution is based on religious sentiments nowadays?
All the policemen collecting “wetin you carry” do they pay tax or is it backed religiously?
You people will be alright!!!

ROSCO/ @johnaforosco wrote:·

In my opinion, I think the police should also put up energy like that to arrest men that patronizes prostitutes. Just like you arrest a man that sell herms and also the client that buy. I was not happy no man was arrested

Femi Adesina/ @FemiDoc said:

How do you know a prostitute? Do they have ID cards? Or is it just their dressing?
Could it be that they’ll be prostitutes if they don’t have any big man to make a call for their release? I’m not understanding you sir

Timotheos/ @timmywise7777 said,

They should clamp down on criminals shutting down Kaduna high way , they are doing the right thing, but there are more urgent things the country need them to do.