Thirteen beer parlours operating without licence and those in prohibited areas in Mokwa, Lavun, and Edati local government areas have been shut down in Niger State.
The State Liquor Licensing Board closed them down during an inspection led by Executive Director of Operations, Mohammed Hamisu.
The board in a statement said the operation was a routine inspection carried out on the directives of the Director General, Liquor Licensing Board.
It said some of the beer parlours were located in restricted areas where selling and consumption of alcohol is prohibitedband failed to comply with the board’s regulations concerning the sale and consumption of alcohol.
The Executive Director Operations assured of their commitment to getting rid of all illegal and unlicensed beer parlours, including brothels, warning owners of the closed beer parlours that any attempt to reopen them will attract severe penalties.
The team also discovered a brothel adjacent to a Jumma’at Mosque in Mokwa with about fifty rooms, harbouring prostitutes, making it uncomfortable for worshippers.
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Following the development, the Executive Director of Operations approached the owner of the hotel, who was a former Councillor in the local government, and was able to convince him to let go of the brothel trade.
The liquor board therefore urged the public to refrain from renting their properties to beer vendors or prostitutes, as such actions could lead to government taking over their properties.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
