Bauchi begins headcount, rehabilitation of sex workers

The Bauchi government says it has commenced a headcount of sex workers operating in the state.

Aminu Balarabe, permanent commissioner in charge of Hisbah and Sharia implementation, disclosed this during the inauguration of the sex workers rehabilitation exercise on Wednesday.

He said the exercise was established to support sex workers with economic empowerment to enable them to quit prostitution, learn trades and become self-reliant.

He said the government would support the identified sex workers who are willing to be reunited with their families.

He added that the exercise was initiated after careful deliberation by the government to attend to the plight of sex workers in the state.

Balarabe explained that the exercise would allow the government to determine the financial and moral commitments to rehabilitate the sex workers.

“The state government decided to provide them with the necessary empowerment skills and seed capital to enable them to quit the immoral attitude of prostitution,” he said.

“Some of them who are not indigenes of the state will be reunited with their parents if they so wish. The state government will contact their state governments for proper handing over of those affected.

“Biodata forms will be distributed to the sex workers to provide their personal information such as state of origin and the reason why they ventured into prostitution.

“They are also required to indicate the type of trade or occupation of their choice. The state will also sponsor the marriage of those willing to marry or remarry.

“We are fully committed to implementing the Sharia law as provided in our legal code but with full consideration of fundamental human rights of every citizen.”