The Gombe State government has vowed to intensify its clampdown on brothels and entertainment centres, known as gala houses, following the discovery of an 11-year-old girl in a local lodge.
Chairman of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA), Bappayo Samanja Maudo, described the incident as both “immoral and unacceptable.” He said the government is fully committed to protecting children and upholding public morals across the state.
“We will sanitise the city. Allowing underage children in such places is totally unacceptable,” Maudo said while addressing reporters in Gombe.
The state had previously banned the operation of gala houses and brothels due to concerns over rising insecurity and moral decay. The latest incident has renewed the government’s resolve to enforce the ban strictly.
Already, several facilities including Evergreen Hotel, Moon Shine, Fina Hotel, Runko Hotel, and Zuma Royal Hotel have been demolished as part of the enforcement exercise.
Maudo warned that any building found to be involved in immoral activities or harbouring minors will be pulled down without delay.
He also praised Governor Inuwa Yahaya for backing the state’s urban renewal and moral reform agenda through massive infrastructure projects and tough policies aimed at restoring order in the state capital and beyond.