Islamic authorities in the Nigerian city of Bauchi have carried out the arrest of sex workers identified by the Red Cross in a census.
The Red Cross carried out the census amid efforts to tackle the spread of HIV in the north-eastern state.
But after it had found 320 women, the local Sharia commission ordered that they be rounded up, the BBC's Shehu Saulawa reports from Bauchi.
Muslim majority Bauchi is governed by the Islamic Sharia law.
Our correspondent says the Sharia commission seems to have been prompted to act by the perception that it was unable to enforce a ban on commercial sex workers FARC releases further hostages ...
Betancourt rescuer wore Red Cross ...
Iranians 'execute six in public' ...
Halal, Kosher Slaughter Unacceptable, say German Vets ...
Sharia law 'could have UK role' ...
Turkey's ruling party defends itself in court ... in the state.
The Sharia commission normally liaises with the police, he says, but this time they acted directly, using their own security force to arrest the sex workers.
It is not clear how many of the women have already been arrested.
They could face flogging or prison terms.
Following the arrests, the Red Cross has halted its census.
Between 75 and 100 of the 320 women have so far tested positive for HIV.
Several of Nigeria's Muslim majority northern states introduced Sharia law starting in 2000, despite opposition from Christians, sparking clashes and riots between rival groups.
The new laws reintroduced some of the harsher Islamic penalties which had been removed under colonial rule.
(BBC)
<< Back