Commercial sex workers on Tuesday set some structures at the Amansea Cattle Market, Awka, Anambra State ablaze in protest against the demolition of their brothels by the state government.
The Anambra State Urban Development Board had same day demolished the brothel located within the cattle market on grounds that the makeshift structures were harbouring kidnappers and other hoodlums.
The General Manager of the board, Chinedu Enemmuo, who led the operation, said the exercise was part of Governor Willie Obiano’s resolve to rid the state of all kinds of crimes and vices.
Enemmuo maintained that the structures demolished were illegal buildings where commercial sex workers, kidnappers and armed robbers resided.
He denied the allegation of bias in the demolition, adding that it would be extended to Nnewi, Onitsha and other cities after the expiration of a three-week notice as done in the Awka instance.
“The structures that were not demolished are those of cattle dealers and canteens,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no sooner was the operation carried than the visibly angry commercial sex workers mobilised and set the remaining structures in the market ablaze.
One of the sex workers, who simply gave her name as Rachael, accused the government officials of bias.
Rachael said: “They are very wicked and inhuman.
“How can they destroy our houses without notice, leaving behind some kiosks and canteens that belong to cattle traders?”
NAN.