'Commando' police molest & arrest married women, NYSC members at Uyo redlight zone

According to TheMail, operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Akwa Ibom State Command, on Thursday night raided popular Red Light District in Uyo known as 'Maitama'. Married women, women  with boyfriends and NYSC members were allegedly molested and bundled like resisting goats into the waiting hilux vans

Men of the Nigerian Police Force raided the entrance of the Ewet Housing Estate easily known as Maitama, and the adjoining streets, arresting all female human beings, including married women and female corps members who were celebrating their POP from the NYSC.

Not less than 5 married women who were hanging out with their husbands at different relaxation spots along D-Line, Ewet Housing were allegedly molested and dragged into waiting police Hilux Vans.

Most of the husbands to the women who protested the molestation and subsequent arrest of their wives were equally assaulted for daring to question the operatives of the NPF.

Also, most of the female corps members who celebrated their passing out from the National Youth Service Corps at different locations in Ewet Housing, particularly Maitama were unlucky as they packed into waiting police vans.

Other females who were either hanging out alone or with their male companions were also arrested.

The Police men stormed the area in a commando-style with not less than 7 trucks.
 It was learned that the order for the raid was issued by the Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani. It is understood that the aim was to arrest prostitutes at the red light district but his men didn’t do proper identification, instead going on a wanton arrest of innocent and law-abiding citizens.

The security agents also raided some hotels/motels in Ewet Housing Estate, arresting female guests.

TheMail Newspaper correspondent who was at the scene of the incident reports that those arrested were taken to the Force’s State Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia.

Speaking to TheMail, Special Assistant to the Governor on Ethical, Attitudinal and Social Reorientation, Mr. Ime Bishop Umoh popularly known as Okon Lagos said the police have the right to raid any where they find suspicious, stating that it is actually unfortunate if there was any form of police brutality during the raid.