Gombe NSCDC Clamps down on gidan galas, arrests 46 suspects
….. Comprising 32 females, and 14 males….
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Tuesday paraded 46 suspects.
Some of the suspects include 32 females, and 14 males, who were caught in local night clubs popularly known as Gidan gala.
The arrest was made in compliance with the directives of the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, for the closure of all ‘gala houses’ in the state.
The NSCDC State Commandant Muhammad Mu’azu, disclosed that the suspects were arrested some of the outlaws spots.
Represented by the Public Relations Officer, SC Buhari Sa’ad, Mu’azu 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 at 4pm, on Monday, the suspects were apprehended at 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,” Mu’azu added.
Speaking with newsmen, Usman Muhammad the Chairman, ‘Masu Gidan Gala da Wasa’ who was also arraigned noted that the gala houses are a place for entertainment and also a 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, stressing that they comply with the government directive on the closure, while assuring that the girls would return to their various homes.
He added, “All the girls you see here came by themselves, none of them were forced, some of them are orphans from Borno, they came and said that their parents were killed as a result of insurgency.
“We do make monies from gate-fees, and also when we do drama that excites viewers, they do give us monetary gifts.”
