Bauchi state shariah commission has disclosed intention to repatriate non-native prostitutes operating in the state and marry off the indigenous ones as part of efforts to tackle immoral acts in the state.
The permanent commissioner of the commission in charge of ‘hisbah’ (Islamic police) Aminu Balarabe Isah disclosed this Monday during a Pre-ramadan sensitization organized by his office for prostitutes at their settlement in Bayan gari area of the state capital.
He said the commission was concerned about the activities of the commercial sex workers in the state adding that instead of arresting and punishing them, the commission in collaboration with the ministry of religious affairs would take back the non indigenes prostitutes willing to stop prostitution to their respective states and reunite them with their parents.
This is even as he said that the natives would be married off by the commission as it is done in some states.
According to him, many of the girls and women that indulged in the act of prostitution had problems with their families and others due to unwanted marriages promising that the commission would broker reconciliation between them and their parents so that they could resettle into their various places.
Aminu said those who do not want to marry but are ready to give up the act of prostitution would be supported by the government to start businesses or some occupations to earn a living.
“Hisbah are known for arrests of prostitutes, but this time around, we deem it good to preach to them, rehabilitate them and look for ways of bringing them out of the urgly act.
“Many of these prostitutes during my discussion with them revealed that they indulged into the acts as a result of the problems they had with their step mothers especially those whose mothers died or got divorced and were under the custody of their step mothers. Others indulged into prostitution as a result of being in abject poverty and lack of having guardians that can cater for them.
“So, they indulged into prostitution to earn a living. They are also not comfortable with their current situations. We are going to sit down with them, identify the natives and non-natives among them with a view to rescuing them and those who are not indigenes, we will liase with their governments to see that they are taken back home and rehabilitated”. He said.
Also speaking, the state commissioner of religious affairs Ahmed Jalam who commended the permanent commissioner in charge of hisbah for organizing the sensitization urged the prostitutes to cooperate so that the rehabilitation program would succeed.
Responding on behalf of other prostitutes, Hafsa Aliyu assured that as far as government will reconcile them with their parents and support them with capitals to engage in businesses, they would be always ready to quit prostitution.
She expressed appreciation to the organizers of the sensitization for showing them love and emphathy on their condition stressing that they too do not enjoy their present job.
