The Bauchi State Police Command and Hisbah have raided the Malam Kawu Rehabilitation Centre, arresting its operator, Malam Kawu, and rescued 10 children.
Reports indicate that most of the centre’s inmates were drug addicts undergoing rehabilitation and skill acquisition training in carpentry, welding, and computer operations.
The raid followed allegations by Yahaya Yusuf, a former inmate, who claimed he was taken to the centre by his mother for rehabilitation but discovered that it harboured criminals and engaged in illegal activities, including sodomy.
Yusuf accused Malam Kawu of sexual abuse and revealed he had tested HIV-positive due to alleged sodomy by Kawu and visitors to the centre.
Barr Aminu Isa, permanent commissioner of Hisbah, stated that the joint operation was prompted by the risks posed by the centre.
He said the facility reportedly housed over 300 inmates from African countries like Cameroon, Ghana, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire, but allegations of illegal practices emerged.
He noted that two months earlier, 16 youths reported suspicious activities at the centre.
Isa noted that during an unscheduled visit, Hisbah found the inmates living in poor conditions, with some alleging sexual abuse by fellow inmates.
He added that investigations are underway to confirm these claims and assess the health status of the inmates, including possible HIV infections.
The police public relations officer, CSP Ahmed Wakil, said the raid was conducted at the request of the Bauchi State government.
He explained that Malam Kawu had ignored multiple police summons and calls, prompting the operation. Wakil confirmed that investigations into the allegations are ongoing.
