Police probe ‘rape of Abuja sex workers’

The federal capital territory (FCT) police command says it has set up a “high-powered team” to investigate the alleged assault of women described as sex workers by its officers.

In April, a joint task force comprising of the department of development control of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the Abuja Environment Protection Board (AEPB), and the Social Development Secretariat raided Caramelo, a popular strip club, in the nation’s capital.

The task force also arrested “sex workers” in different parts of the nation’s capital.

Some of those arrested were allegedly molested by some of the police officers who conducted the raid.

One of the ladies said many of the alleged rapists were policemen attached to Utako, Life Camp and Gwarimpa police stations.

Another lady said she was raped by policemen when she could not pay the money they demanded in exchange for her release.

In a statement on Friday, Gajere Tanimu, deputy spokesman of the command, said they have invited some individuals who “may assist in getting to the root of the matter”.

“The attention of FCT police command has been drawn to serious allegations of rape against some of its members on social, print and electronic media,” Tanimu said.

“This was said to have occurred on 27th April, 2019 when some suspected commercial sex workers were raided by the FCTA Joint Task Team comprising of the Department of Development Control, Abuja Environment Protection Board (AEPB), and the Social Development Secretariat at Caramelo night club, Utako, and also while they were kept at Utako Division.

“The Command as a responsible corporate citizen, views the allegations seriously. Consequently, a high powered team was constituted to investigate the veracity of the allegation.

“In this regard invitations were sent out to relevant individuals that may assist in getting to the root of the matter.

“The command wishes to assure members of the public of its zero tolerance for unprofessional disregard to human rights and stiff punishments will be meted out to erring officers.”