Gombe NSCDC Commandant, Mohammad Bello Muazu
The Gombe State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps said on Tuesday it has apprehended paraded 46 criminal suspects comprising 32 females and 14 males, who were arrested in local nightclubs popularly known as Gidan Gala.
The arrest was made in compliance with Governor Muhammadu Yahaya’s directives that all local nightclubs be shut.
Parading the suspects before journalists, the State Commandant of the state Public Relations Officer, NSCDC, Mu’azu Sa’ad, said, “The suspects were found wanting for perpetrating immoral and criminal acts in these Gidan Gala.
“The command has been able to reach out to some of the parents of the suspects and will also be charging them to court.”
He added that while the directive was issued around 4pm on Monday, the suspects were apprehended around 9pm.
“The suspects were arrested at Sabon Gida BCGA, Jamiyar Gadan Gala at New Mile 6, while others were arrested at Gidan Wasa/Gidan Drama at New Mile 3, and others were arrested at Liji, along Kalshingi Road,” he added.
Speaking with journalists, the Chairman, ‘Masu Gidan Gala da Wasa’, Usman Muhammad, who was also paraded, noted that the clubhouses are places of entertainment and also means of livelihood for most of these girls who have to fend for themselves and their families.
“The kind of entertainment we provide is the kind where we organise dances and also drama where people come to watch, and we also enlighten them of societal issues,” Muhammad said.
Muhammad added that he pays the girls a minimum of N50,000 per month.