20 girls and 14 boys including minors have been paraded by Gombe State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for engaging alleged illicit dance entertainment popularly known as ‘Gidan lokachi’ or ‘Gidan gala.’
According to the state Commandant Waziri Goni, the suspects posed a serious security breach.
Goni also told newsmen on Tuesday June 28, that the command has so far closed over 10 of such dance houses across the state which also served as an avenue for young girls to practice prostitution.
He said;
“They call the place Gidan gala but actually at the end of the day, they have their boyfriends, they will go with them. 95 per cent of them are teenagers around 17 years, hardly will you find 20 to 22 years old, and the place has been existing over a long time. For the owners, they registered the place for trading and merchandise and now they operate as hotel and play ground.”
Goni who disclosed that some of the suspects came from neighbouring states, also said that some of them were married for about one week before jettisoning their marital vows to come into Gombe State.
He added;
“They are from Adamawa, Borno, Plateau, and Taraba states. Most of them are from the North-East, just one or two are from Kaduna and Jos. If we don’t deal with this issue, it will jeopardise and create problem for the entire population.
“It is a serious threat, these are things that give rise to kidnapping, robbery, cultism. Some are being lured and killed, others hide in the pretext of the play to commit crime.
“This will bring bad image to their family. Some of the parents know that their children were involved in such things, at least, about two of them. We have to take these ones to court.”
Manager of Gidan lokachi, Danladi Mohammed however countered the claim, adding that participants were duly screened before being allowed in.
Mohammed said;
“They used to come themselves, if they are not married, you will be allowed to perform, we don’t accept minors.”
