Nigerian prostitutes and strippers invade the country

A police source disclosed to Koaci that the number of strippers and prostitutes from neighboring countries Nigeria, Chad and CAR are increasing in numbers in Cameroon.

"55% of prostitutes and strippers arrest during our numerous raids are not Cameroonians," said a serving police officer with the General Delegation of National Security (DGSN) based in Yaoundé.

Authorities estimate that the majority of prostitutes have fake national identity cards (CNI) which allows them to move without interference. "Sometimes, some have on them CNI of Cameroon but are unable to give you the name of their village or the location of their region or the village of their father or mother in Cameroon," said the police authority.

Police say the prostitutes operate in neighborhoods and places their pleasure services are patronized. The prostitutes and strippers sometimes attack customers when they make a complaint of "aggression". Some have confessed to the police that they work for major criminal networks like robbery gangs, marijuana trafficking networks among others.

The last operation which has had an impact on them took place on June 10, in Douala, the economic capital. The sub-prefect of Douala III, Zakariaou Njoya and elements of the police and gendarmerie carried out the closure of several hotels in the district of Douala III.

33 snack bars and hostels out of a hundred in the administrative district were closed and 32 of 33 alleged prostitutes were arrested for trial in court in Douala-Nodgkoti.

According to police sources, the alleged prostitutes arrive in Cameroon with prostitution as their means of survival with ignorance and contempt of the laws and regulations in force in the country prohibiting the practice of prostitution in Cameroon.

Prostitutes in turn accuse the police of scam and sometimes "sexual abuse" during the raids. Some of them reported being forced to remain silent or risk blackmail by police officers with charges that they cannot prove.

They strongly believe in forming an association to defend their rights, says Irene, a professional prostitute who we met at a roundabout.