At least 2,000 prostitutes in southern Anambra state threatened to go on strike Wednesday after local government officials demolished their brothels where they lived.
As a result of the demolition of some brothels in Anambra state, over 2,000 prostitutes have threatened to embark on a strike action to advocate their rights.
Prior to their decision, the local government officials in the state demolished their brothels where they lived next to a cattle market in the state capital Awka.
According to the Sun, the officials of the Anambra State Urban Development Board allegedly stormed the brothels Monday afternoon near the border community of Amansea with more than 50 armed police officers on the suspicion that the structures were being used as hideouts for kidnappers and other criminals.
Shortly after authorities demolished their homes, the angry prostitutes set the cattle market ablaze.
One of the prostitutes who spoke to journalists said:
“We are decent people. We do our business and go our way. We don’t harbour criminals. After all, most of the people that visit us are government officials. They want me to expose them?” “They destroyed our center and left behind other huts, kiosks and canteens that belong to the Hausa cattle traders. Is that justice?
Don’t those ones harbour kidnappers and criminals?”
“We want to tell them they are the people patronizing us,”
On this note, they will be going on a 4-day warning strike to advocate for their rights.
The General Manager of the Anambra State Urban Development Board, Mr. Enemmuo Nathan Chinedu said demolishing the brothels was part of an overall effort to drive out crime from the state.
"The brothels were illegal buildings in Amansea that have allegedly become safe havens for kidnappers and armed robbers", said Nathan Enemuo, who led the operation at the cattle market.
Efforts to confirm whether the strike action has started failed as at press time.
