The Garun Malam Local Government Area Council in Kano State has indefinitely closed the Kwanar Gafan Tomato Market due to reports of illicit activities, including prostitution, adultery, homosexuality, and other immoral conduct occurring within and around the market.
Hon. Aminu Salisu Kadawa, the local government chairman, confirmed the closure to Daily Trust, explaining that it was necessary to restore order in the area.
He stated that all market occupants must vacate the premises by January 1, 2025, with strict penalties for those who fail to comply.
“This place has become a haven for criminals, armed robbers, prostitutes, and other wrongdoers,” Kadawa said.
The chairman also emphasized that while the market must be vacated by the January 1 deadline, a reopening date would be announced once a thorough review of its operations is conducted.
Imam Abdullahi Yusif Chiromawa, an Islamic scholar, expressed serious concern about the adverse effects of the market’s alleged immoral activities on local children.
“The market has turned into a hub for adultery, homosexuality, and prostitution, involving both youths and even married women,” Imam Chiromawa lamented.
S.A. Gusau, a representative of the state police commissioner, assured that security forces would enforce the evacuation order.
“It is time for the security agencies to take control of the market, and we are committed to ensuring the evacuation order is upheld to maintain law and order,” Gusau said.
The decision to shut down the market has sparked mixed reactions among residents, with some supporting the closure as a necessary step for moral reform, while others are concerned about the potential economic impact on the traders.